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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE 



TEMPLE REBUILT 



A POEM 



BY 

FREDERICK R. ABBE 



A NEW Edition, Revised and Enlarged 

qpyrjg 

. ;f ".1 1882,1) 

BOSTON ""^^is^^^opWASH - 

D. LOTHROP AND COMPANY 
1882 



r- 

X 



Copyright, i88i, 
By D. Lothrop & Company. 






i1 



CONTENTS. 



BOOK L — THE EDIFICE. 

The Dignity and Destiny of the Soul 



• • 



BOOK IL — THE RUINS. 
The Nature and fearful Fruits of Sin . . . 20 

BOOK III.— THE NEW FOUNDATION. 

The Divine Preparation for the Renewal ... 46 

BOOK IV. — THE HOLY BUILDERS. 
The Agents in the Work of Restoration . . . 67 

BOOK v.-— THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 

The various Instrumentalities employed in the 

Work ; . 108 



4 . Contents. 

BOOK VI.— THE SANCTUARY. 

The nearer Circles of Love and holy-Effort . . 128 

BOOK VII. — THE COURT OF THE NATION. 
The Duties of a large Christian Patriotism . .143 

BOOK VIIL— THE COURT OF THE WORLD. 

The Obligation of Interest in the Welfare of all 

Nations . * . 184 

BOOK IX. — FINISHED. 

The Consummation and Issue in the everlasting 

Scenes 201 

BOOK X. — HALLELUJAH. 
A Call for universal Praise 23 ^ 



PREFATORY NOTE. 

The first edition of this work was prepared, for the most part, 
in the midst of the duties and cares of an active pastorate, and 
was issued in a form somewhat crude and incomplete. 

It has now, with more leisure, been re-written, re-arranged and 
enlarged, and made, while retaining the same general course of 
thought, substantially a new work. 

In this form it is re-issued with the hope and earnest desire that 
it may, in a greater measure, interest, instruct and quicken in 
human and heavenly things, and contribute to the great work of 
building up in the earth the Temple of the Lord. 



THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 



BOOK I. 
THE EDIFICE, 



The subject stated. Invocation. The dignity and worth of the soul. Of 
godlike faculty and rule. Greater than all material creation. Its measure- 
less possibilities. Each, as kin with all, honored in all high achievements. 
Illustrious examples. Sovereign and subject. Not a part of a pantheistic 
Power. A ribald scepticism, in the guise of philosophy, rebuked. God not 
a law, nor a blind force, but an infinite Person. Man in his likeness, able 
for righteousness or sin. Immortal, and of endless growth in capacity and 
character. 



The man renewed, the fallen soul restored 
In holy beauty through Messiah slain, 
Sung by the angels, and by human lips 
From age to age rehearsed in hymns of praise 
And grateful worship, I would celebrate. 
And with melodious wisdom fxtly show 
The Living Temple from its ruins raised 
In richer splendor to its native form. 

7 



THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Eternal Spirit ! from the throne of light, 
Whose inspiration is the ruin wrought 
In newness of the holy workmanship, 
And birth of glory in a life divine ; 
Who, by the sovereign influence of that Name, 
Building the soul, dost from disastrous fall 
Raise to the shapes of immortality, 
Directing, by thy presence and control, 
The heavenly structure from the corner-stone 
To the last pinnacle of completed grace ; 
Help me the tlijeme to utter worthily, 
In noble measure and a nobler mood, 
With faith unfaltering, tender eloquence, 
Illumined reason, clear simplicity, 
Experience ripe, a witness true to all 
The facts of glory, that I may exalt 
The Heavenly Mercy, and some needy heart 
Bless with the cheer of this triumphant truth. 
Oh ! touch my lips, my wayward thought inform, 
That not a word unworthily presume 
To tell the sacred story of the heavens. 
The high endeavor prosper to thy will; 
Yea, in the solemn rapture of my song. 
Through dark and light, in lofty ecstasy, 
Bear, bear me on thy wing, that I may well 
The wonders of the gracious way declare, 



THE EDIFICE. 9 

The ruin, and the rich, immortal hope 
In Christ the Blessed ; at whose feet I lay 
This tribute in adoring gratitude. 

Wrapped in the womb of infinite design 
From all the ages, in the thought of God, 
I came, the moment of his sovereign will, 
Forth in his living likeness ; spirit true, 
Immortal essence, kin and royal sort 
Of the bright seraphs, sceptered mightily 
In a great realm of powers, which I may rule 
To glory or dishonor. Though a child, 
Before me may the hoary mountains bow. 
And learn their littleness, when I may lift 
My thought above the heavens, nor be abashed 
Before the soulless splendors of the sky, 
Greater in dignity of love and will 
Than all the cold creation. Starry spheres ! 
That with your fires spangle the firmament 
Like sparks of lustre from Jehovah's throne, 
What is your light to mine ? O beautiful 
Earth, my fair home ! so richly dight 
In robes embroidered of the sun and air. 
And gorgeous with the marks of Deity ; 
Thy flowers, his beauty, and thy choirs, his .song ; 
Thy winds, his breath ; thy seasons, his survey ; 



lO THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Thy hills, his seat ; thy clouds, his chariot ; 
Thy harvests, the rich bounty of his store ; 
Thy seas, his glass of glory : what art thou, 
In the mechanic splendor of thy praise, 
To my free adoration ? Boundlessly 
Spread your amazing wonders, worlds afar ! 
Paltry and mean to my immortal powers, 
That move aloft within the sphere of God, 
And hold communion with his deity. 

Come, make thy best pretense, thy loudest boast, 
O Nature ! I will shame thee. For I may 
Outshine thy brightest beams ; more swiftly fly 
Than wings of wind, or coursers of the light. 
Pursue the comet, and from world to world 
Leap with unfettered thought ; be musical 
More in the method of the heavenly ear. 
Than note of bird, or forest minstrelsy, 
Or air, or ocean, or the singing spheres. 
Or golden harp of angels ; sweeter be 
Than all the honey palaces of dew, 
Or morning in the odorous Paradise ; 
Purer than flowing crystal, or the clear 
Gleam of the wintry fleece ; more beautiful 
Than sunset, when the cloudy chamberlains 
Hang all the west with gorgeous drapery, 



THE EDIFICE. 11 

Or rarest chaplet ever earth inwove 

To deck her beauty for the kiss of heaven ; 

Richer than rubies, grander than the seas, 

SubHmer than the hills, magnificent 

More than the starry garniture on high. 

Or all the glittering vestments of the Throne. 

For greater is it, with a heart of love, 

Able the seat celestial to ascend, 

To show the godlike feature, than display 

The outer splendor of His majesty ; 

More marvelous to think, than be a world 

For thought to range and ponder ; more sublime 

To follow duty, than the nicest paths 

That ever planet ran in ; and to lisp 

One note of free devotion, more divine 

Than all the chorus of material song. 

What are the gates of heaven, when I may have 

Heaven in a holy heart ? the works of God, 

When I with God may work ? the glittering fires 

That fleck the starry temple, when my soul 

With lustre of immortal light may glow, 

And be a temple for the fire divine ? 

In the clear mirror of my soul I see, 
In countless form, a fellow multitude ; 
As in the answering element appear, 



12 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Upon the nether azure of the deep, 

The teeming features of the circUng hills. 

The ages through my veins their history course, 

And swell the current of my trivial day; 

For I am what I feel with. All the years, 

By knowledge or by sympathy, are mine, 

And with my being thus incorporate. 

No deed heroic but ennobles me. 

And I can glory in the boast of all ; 

Share, as a branch, in all the excellence 

That crowns widi fruit our large humanity. 

I may with Milton, in his flight sublime. 
Compass the heavens, and sound his mighty song 
For angel ears; the human passions range 
With Shakespeare, and his potent pencil fill, 
In magic movement of his scenery. 
With troops of living Nature ; with the scales 
Of Newton weigh the worlds ; with Bacon search 
The secrets of philosophy and find 
The universal law; with Raphael - 
In beauty paint, till the seraphic touch 
Dazzles with angels ; build with Angelo 
In massy art, till, like a sky above. 
The dome of wonder spreads ; warm with the fire 
Of Luther's hallowed eloquence, and wield 



THE EDIFICE. 1 3 

The shafts of Chatham, or the ponderous bolts 

.Of Webster's Titan tongue ; with Miller trace 

Upon the rocky pages prints divine, 

Creation, and the ravenous sepulture, 

The races buried while the axle turns 

Its myriad million years ; with Agassiz 

Marshal the finny schools, till deep to deep 

Gives forth its ordered multitude ; unroll 

The heavens with Herschel, orb on glittering orb, 

Till thought is startled, and the dazzled eye 

Tires with the weight of worlds ; downward with 

Beale 
The microscopic marvel turn, and show 
The swarming billions, God as wonderful 
Beneath as over, busy life at play 
In drops, as teeming as the ancient seas ; 
With Dana mix the deft, strange elements. 
And solve the fiery problems ; with Daguerre 
Paint with the sun, in i^iry art of light, 
Immortal faces with a flash of heaven ; 
With Watt subdue leviathan in iron 
To toil of million sinews, till the deep 
Boils with the rush of navies, and the land 
Quakes with the roar of enginery ; with Morse 
Harness the lightning to the eager news, 
Outstripping time, across the continent, 



14 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Across the sea, and like Omniscience reap 

At once the busy world ; with Washington, 

Against oppression's haughty armament, 

Lead the rude ranks to glorious victory. 

Beget a nation, and supremely cro^yn 

The ruler's honor and the patriot's name ; 

Lay with Augustine of the City of God 

The deep foundations, square the massy blocks 

With Calvin, patiently with Edwards shape 

The stately superstructure, with a hand, 

Out of the wilderness, so strong and wise. 

Nations admire ; and stand in breathless awe 

With Moses and with Paul, as face to face 

They see the Glory, and to human need 

The will of God reveal. With these great names, 

Upon the princely summits I may go, 

With humble feet in their emblazorued steps, 

And take the virtue to my human powers, 

As man with them, in kinship with the souls 

That think and act so grandly, and within, 

However weak and simple, gloriously 

Ennobled feel in their nobility. 

The higher is the harder to subdue 
To sweet and willing homage ; grows the sense 
Of independence with the sense of power. 



THE EDIFICE. 1 5 

Not as the rush the stubborn' oak is bent, 

The stately cedar as the flimsy withe ; 

And more Omnipotence is tasked to sway 

The imperial spirit in its liberty, 

Than, all the orbs of dumb obedience. 

Submissively the planets wheel their course 

In the nice circles of eternal skill. 

The even balance of the universe 

Hangs to the hair. The punctual seasons loll, 

And Nature never swerves. But Freedom may 

Usurp the potent rein, run the fell round, 

Puff with proud petulance, and scorn the hand 

Which cannot fealty force. The holy heart, 

Held in the service of submissive love, 

The sweet enthralment of great liberty, 

The sceptre crowns of heavenly government. 

To draw divinest action from its spring, 

This, this is greatness. Lo ! the touch of God 

The ready planet rules ; his full hand, man : 

Man, but an atom, yet an atom great 

With possible convulsion of a world, 

With ruin of immortal interests ; 

Man, the ruled arbiter of destiny, 

A sovereign subject, and a vassal king. 

Yes, in the almighty Maker's image made, 



1 6 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Dominion have I endless as his crown, 

The majesty of spirit with her powers, 

The rule of will, the kingship of the" soul. 

What then, a petty god ? a finite beam 

Flashed from the essence of the Infinite, 

A wandering particle of Deity, 

A human jet of consciousness divine ? 

Or an incorporate and essential part 

Of the great All divinely everywhere ? 

Or so possessed and quickened, so impelled 

By necessary virtue, as to make 

My heart and life a mirror of the heavens, 

However darkly glooming, and alike, 

Robed in whatever hue, divinely pure, 

Without a sin, or sinning holily. 

With sin and holiness in issue one, 

Alike advancement to the perfect goal ? 

Ah no ! Philosophy, so noble, when 
Taught reverently to bear the train of Heaven, 
And show the glory in celestial things, 
How pitiful, when turned to blasphemy. 
Pander to pride, high minister of death. 
Blasting the blessed hope, and fain to cast 
For ever down the throne of holiness ! 
The Lord rebuke and chasten, till the schools, 



THE EDIFICE. 1 7 

In meek and reverent reason, lowly bent, 
Find the true way of wisdom at his feet, 
The way of wisdom in simplicity. 

Alone in majesty, Eternal King, 
Infinity of person, with a will. 
Heart, purpose, being, glory, all his own ; 
Maker, unmade ; pervading all, distinct ; 
Holding each atom, and the highest throne 
With boundless empire, filling : not a part 
Of this pure Essence am I, only like, 
With infinite lack ; of him, yet personal, 
'As though the only person ; still myself, 
Through every worse or better ; with a mind, 
Will, reason, passion, purpose, all my own, 
In my subjection ; imaged in his glass; 
His fashion, not his fullness. Thus endued. 
Fresh from his sovereign moulding, he did send 
My spirit forth to duty, in my field 
Freely each gift and faculty to use 
For blessing or a curse : in his dear love 
Supreme, to serve with cheerful benefit, 
Humihty of worship, glad content, 
Rich fruit of sacrifice, unceasing toil ; 
Patiently leaning on his promised care, 
And all my way a radiance of liis light, . 



1 8 THE TEMPL15 REBUILT. 

Till crowned on high in triumph, with the white 

Garments, and pahns of victory, and the songs 

Of ages in immortal blessedness. 

Or perish, if I will ; will rudely mar 

His image, and the holy banner trail 

To the rebellious infamy of sin ; 

Adopt in bosom love his enemies ; 

Defile my vestal raiment, shamelessly 

In wanton pleasures wallow, sear my sense 

With passion's hot caressing, and prepare 

To toss in quenchless flame ; my hardened heart 

Never to melt in tender penitence ; 

Hurling the horrid shafts of blasphemy. 

Bitter, revengeful, desperate, accursed ; 

Reaping the terror, till my deathless soul 

Know the dread meaning of the wrath of God. 

O Immortality ! my sleepless mate. 
My birth-right, and my strong necessity ; 
To thee I am wedded for the endless race. 
And, never nearing the retreating goal. 
Without release, the fateful angel time 
Bearing me on his unrelenting wing. 
Must onward, onward, onward evermore. 
Onward ! and whither, whither, O my soul ? 
O fearful function of imperial choice I 



THE EDIFICE. 19 

O moment, spring of an eternal sea ! 
Onward ! still onward ! whither shall it be ? 
To heavenly glory ? roam the happy fields 
Above the highest star ? and glow afresh 
When suns have burnt to ashes ? and be young 
With hoary ages on thee, more and more 
Burning in love of God, and growing still 
Nearer and nearer to the perfect throne ? 
Or fall ? and, like the hapless aeronaut 
Out of the azure plunging to the deep, 
Into the foaming surge of ruin plunge ; 
Deeper and swifter, down for evermore ; 
Hardening into perpetual character 
Of proud defiance, grim iniquity ; 
And heavier growing with increasing hate 
Against the heavenly majesty and love, 
Against the holy purpose and command, 
Till thou the hellish pinions emulate, 
While blacker, swifter, deadlier, ever rolls 
The stream of justice in avenging woe ? 
Answer ! and all the coming ages will 
Declare thy wisdom, or thy folly prove. 



BOOK II. 

THE RUINS 



Man's fall measured by his height of privilege and power. Perfection re- 
quired. Selfishness the law -of ruin. Ambition. Mammon. Pleasure. 
Infidelity. Polluted sacrifices. The corrupt heart in willing bondage. 
Conscience aroused in dreadful apprehension. Selfish prayer vain to help ; 
sceptical denial vain. Horrors of despair ; not crushed by defiance, nor 
drowned in pleasures. Better few than many stripes ; better to appease 
than defy the judgment. Good deeds not atonement ; nor festivity peace ; 
nor knowledge salvation. A saintly messenger. Fearful wrestle with the 
tempter. Better to live without hope, than hurry to hell. No help but in 
God. 



The higher, falling, will the deeper fall, 
And carry havoc on a swifter wing. 
The mountain plumbs the sea ; heaven the abyss. 
The archangel makes the Satan. Should God sin, 
'Twould shake the universe, beget a fiend 
Too dreadful to conceive. So that far height 
Of privilege and duty, stamp of heaven. 
Power of sweet service, measures my sad fall ; 
Wreck of the lightning, like a stately tower 
Throned in the hills, now smitten to the ground, 

20 



THE RUINS. 21 

Because I could, and would not. All the pride 

And matchless grace lie mingled with the dust ; 

For sin has battered at the noble walls, 

And nothing left but ruins. All along 

Lie fragments of the glory, and the flame 

Of passion has swept through, and rebel lusts 

Have thrown the lofty beauty down, and made 

God's temple the foul satyr's theatre, 

A lair of beasts, a haunt of spirits accursed. 

" Cursed is he who keeps not all the Law ! " 
In startling thunder, thus the rigid voice 
Sounds from the empyrean. All the Law ! 
A thought refused, or purpose, is not all, 
And all is everlasting, God must hold 
His mandates honored to the perfect end; 
Maintain the jot, or abdicate the crown. 
The arch is ruins if one stone default. 
The city ashes with one spark supreme; 
So one transgression breaks the encircling Law, 
And sin, but kindled, will consume the whole. 
Pluck a forbidden flower, the eternal pen 
Writes condemnation, and the bruise of love 
Festers to fearful hatred. Innocence 
Lives only in the sweet and guileless air. 
And dies with every taint. One guilty step, 



22 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Unless arrested by almighty grace, 
Is from a precipice, whose sheer abyss 
Is an eternal plunge. The perfect One, 
Who cannot swerve from even righteousness, 
And marks the circles with his character, 
Must have perfection in the heavenly claim, 
And pays the glory of a just reward 
Only as full obedience wins the crown. 
He weighs me, and my purpose, in the scales 
That weigh the angels and unswerving suns, 
And all the dust of difference is my guilt, 
Below the level virtue of his love. 

Not once, alas ! but thrice a million fold, 
So widely wandering from the perfect way, 
I fail to fill the standard of the Law; 
And sins unnumbered dedicate to death 
My guilty soul. For every action, aim. 
Affection, purpose, motive, thought, desire. 
Through the swift history of my crowded years, 
Has rendered slack obedience, or defied 
The heavenly mandate and my bosom's lord ; 
And not a perfect moment condescends 
Its holy splendor on my hfe to throw. 
My duty measures and convicts my guilt ; 
Duty, as vast as my capacity, 



THE RUINS, 23 

And guilt, as thorough as my lack of love. 

For I have made myself my glorious sun ; 

Set up my petty will against the heavens ; 

Despised immortal duty ; dared rebel, 

Traniple the truth, anoint the hideous lie, 

And guage the universe to suit the pith 

Of my portentous pride. The crown of love, 

Due only to the uncreated King, 

Upon a creature I have set, enthroned 

A devil even in the seat of Heaven ; 

Have robbed my Maker, and in place of all 

Have worse than nothing for his goodness given ; 

Have taken daily bounty, naught returned ; 

Been thankless, when my every breath was grace, 

And every motion mercy ; have conspired. 

Against his right, with bitter enemies. 

To keep my heart and talent to myself 

In littleness of life. Oh ! how it takes 

From other thefts the blush, and viler still 

Makes the sneak viper meanness, when the blest 

The blesser robs, the helpless helping hands. 

The priest the altar, petted children home, 

Judas the bag of Christ, and needy man 

The bounteous Giver ; in the flush of good, 

In the excelling greatness of His love, 

With rude contempt, or base forgetfulness, 



24 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

To take the throne not merely, but the dust 
Upon the footstool, lofty thoughts and deeds 
Not merely, but the atoms and the sighs, 
To hold in petty greed of selfishness. 
And not a pulse or purpose use for God ! 
So have I, in such consecration vile, 
Even to the vulgar idols of the world 
Bent the devotion to Jehovah due. 

For I have- been Ambition's votary, 
In mimic of the infernal aspirant ; 
Unworthy, to a worthy place to climb, 
Taste the sweet homage to successful power, 
And to my name some gleam of glory gain ; 
Panting for honor, till the honor came 
Only to press me with its weary weight, 
Or mock with disappointment, sharp as thorns, 
Of scant and withered laurel ; satisfied. 
In growing appetite and weary use. 
Not with the power and plaudits of the world. 

Or, at the golden feet of Mammon bowed, 
I have for blessing but invoked a curse. 
And for his favor tortured poverty ; 
Drudging for gold, sleepless and worn and wan ; 
Half honest for advantage, virtue made 



THE RUINS. 25 

Only a current price ; seeking to win 
License of wealth for my imperious heart 
To revel in the envy of the poor, 
And throw the supercilious dollar down, 
And glut the proud and lusty luxury, 
Or, with a miser's relish, gorge my eyes 
With daily banquet of my dainty gold ; 
Delving for earth, when all its costly weight 
Of acres, mines, ships, harvests, factories. 
Bonds, wardrobes, jewels, mansions of delight, 
Weighed with the soul, are but the summer dust, 
Or dew upon the sandals of the morn ; 
Buying the worthless with immortal worth. 
When not a dime can pass the marble gate, 
And one quick moment strips us for the grave. 
And only heavenly riches reach to heaven. 

Or I have been a silly fly, to flit 
In gaudy Pleasure's fascinating glare, 
The dupe of passion, singed with wanton fires ; 
Seeking with empty gayety to sate 
The immortal hunger, and the precious life 
Laugh off in folly, as though death and doom, 
Relentless, were not pressing at the door. 
Fool ! to be ravished with a thrill of sense ; 
The giddy fever of an hour ; the hot 



26 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Whirl of the lustful revelry ; the foul 

Banter, leer, action of the vicious scene, 

Stage of pollution ; the voluptuous song, 

The noblest angels draggling in the mire ; 

The noxious tale of passion, through the thoughts 

Like a miasma floating, darkly aimed 

Fair purity to defiour ; the beastly rout 

And license, cursed orgies of the cup, 

And revel unto ruin : mad on mirth, 

And fierce to crowd the mighty hours along, 

So tedious, to the limp and hollow soul, 

In wisdom's sober ways of pleasantness. 

With a rude reason, pluming pompously 
Her sickly wit^ how have I wantoned through 
Heaven's holy messages in mockery ; 
For pastime, or pretense, or devilish wrench 
To twist the hated wisdom into lies ; 
Making the evil good, the bitter sweet. 
The narrow broad, and my own wishes key 
To prophet, law, apostle. Son of God; 
My lust the vile inspirer, till the Word 
Reeked with my error, and the dreadful sense 
Of sacrilege and baseness almost heard 
The thunder bellow, and the lightning felt 
Leaping avenged from the polluted page ! 



THE RUINS. 27 

And I the gift of fools have sacrificed ; 
Have mocked in worship, on the altar laid 
The lame and sickly; to the ear of Heaven 
Poured my polluted prayer without a breath 
Of faith or love to sweeten ; dared present 
The fetid flame for incense, and expect, 
From the insulted Majesty, return 
Of favor and reward ; nay, from my knees 
With curl of scorn have risen, in contempt 
That I should so demean my noble pride, 
And call to earless nothing, or attempt 
To hood>vink fate, and change the changeless plan 
That binds the world in iron, or flatter Heaven 
More to bestow than heavenly love would give 
Without the begging of a word or sigh. 
Or weakly supplicate, for any work, 
For sufferance or for battle, higher help 
Than my sufficient function : till my thought, 
Uttered or silent,, grew in blasphemy. 

Is there a spirit in the list of wrong, 
Haunting the ruins of humanity, 
Whose cunning knock has not a welcome found 
And entertainment in my guilty love ? 
However fair the sepulchre without, 
Within are gastly relics of decay : 



28 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

However like a palace outwardly, 

Figured with all devices of delight, 

I am a cage of unclean birds, a den ^, 

Of ugly monsters, — hatred, lust, deceit, 

Pride, malice, envy, jealousy, revenge. 

For with my foes have I my fortress filled. 

And thrown my gates wide to my enemies. 

My thoughts are sins ; my wishes trespasses ; 

My looks transgressions ; my neglects misdeeds : 

Yea, in the holy mirror, truly seen, 

In the bright glass of heavenly purity. 

Infernal features stare me eye to eye. 

And all my life is like a ruined waste. 

Where spirits of evil at their pleasure haunt. 

O Sin, my tyrant ! willingly thy slave, 
Yet have I found thy fetters hard as iron, 
Cruel as bloody lashes, sharp as fire. 
The bondage of a flattering wretchedness ; 
Thorns with the sweetest flowers, the stinging stab 
Beneath the fond caresses, the undertone 
Of sighs and groans amid the melody, * 

And ashes of my hopes. When wilt thou give 
My weary spirit freedom to her peace ? 
I hate thee, while I love the alluring tune 
To which my passion dances. Let me go I 



THE RUINS. 29 

Count the sad past sufficient. Let me go ! 
And I will yet recast my chain in gold, 
To bind me ever to the throne of God. 

No ! God is angry, and his furious breath 
Will from his presence, like a whirlwind, blast 
The ensigns of the wicked.- He will sweep 
With burning besom, from his holy sight, 
The smallest sinful dust that dare pollute 
The pavement of his glor}^ But my sin 
Stands like a mountain, with accursed top 
As high as heaven, and will in season burn, 
Like a volcano, with consuming fire. 
He knows my deepest secret, and must loathe 
Completely, as he clearly sees within 
The hideous working of my wickedness. 
He loves the righteous, and iniquity 
With equal heat must hate. Prepare, my soul ! 
To meet a God incensed. See ! all in smoke 
Great Sinai thunders, and the lightnings flash 
Like flaming swords the threatening of the throne. 
Lo I the dread judgment struggles to let loose 
The rumbling wheels of terror, to convey 
Justice, superb and stern in righteousness, 
Unending battle with my peace to wage, 
And thus pursue me with its banishment: 



30 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

" Go, false, unfaithful spirit ! to thy place, 
The place of terror and eternal dopm 
In burning chains of darkness, v\ith the fiends • 
To mingle in accursed fellowship. 
And rage in endless rancor of revenge. 
There wrestle with remorse, and in despair 
Think of thy squandered hopes, and feel the worm 
Of conscience gnawing unrelentingly, 
The fire of passion feeding on itself. 
The tortute of a sleepless memory; 
While distant hallelujahs echo down 
Measures of bitter anguish, and thy God 
Himself is present as the sharpest pang, 
Remembered in his slighted benefits. '^ 

*^ O cruel sentence ! judgment pitiless !'' 
Whispers the grim deceiver to my sOul, 
^' Can it be right? Is this the boasted love. 
Thus to pursue for ever ? this the God, 
Whose generous presence fills the world with good.'* 
A father ? What ! and bend his fury thus 
Against an erring child, and every hope. 
Comfort of peace, joy of felicity, 
Blast with relentless vengeance ? Heart of steel ! 
Injustice on a throne of adamant! '^ 



THE RUINS. 31 

" Hush, bitter serpent ! '' thus in wide amaze 
I answer, " all thy venom only burns 
The deep wound deeper. Thy perverse discharge 
Bruises me sorely, harmless to the heavens. 
The curse may not be cureless. This 1 know, 
The iron hate, the brazen blasphemy, 
Will chain in heavier fetters. It is right, 
Yes, to the last ache of the penalty. 
Against myself I will the truth defend ; 
Confess, though my confession be my judge, 
Confirm the finding of the court divine. 
I will be honest; let who will be false ; 
Fair in my evidence, let law be law, 
And conscience to her heavy duty true. 
Owning the judgment just. Yes, it is right. 
My own, own hand, it smote me, struck the sting 
That in my bosom rankles. . Were it wrong, - 
Then could I suffer with exultant joy. 
But suffering justly, — there the sword cuts home ; 
And every tongue of torture tells its tale 
Of righteous anguish for unrighteousness. 
Let holy law, the throne eternal stand. 
Whatever creature perish. Government, ^ 
Without its penalty, is a petty farce ; 
And everlasting justice, blemished, worse. 
Than worlds in ruin. More is deathless right 



32 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Than all the nations that by sufferance live ; 
Jehovah, than the boundless universe, 
Were all its atoms angels. Love to one, 
Unrighteously, is wrong to both, to all, 
Wrong to the loved and lover. With the need, 
To hold the blow is all the heavier blow ; 
And unjust fondness, conscience's lullaby, 
Plucking the righteous terror from the rod. 
Is bitter cruelty. For justice breathes 
With love 'the selfsame law, the selfsame sword 
Wields, and ensanguines in eternal blood. 
I will be honest, candid to the right. 
And honor justice while her blows descend. 
Better be true in hell, than false in heaven." 

" Is there no hope ? in soft repentance none ? " 
Thus gently steals a whisper to my heart, 
" None in petition ? none in sacrifice ? 
Why with the black Despair so soon clasp hands ? 
Ask, and thou shalt receive ; seek, thou shalt find; 
Knock, and the heavenly gate will open wide.'' 

" Ah ! I will try that promise, put to proof 
Prayer's boasted virtue, and with suppliant seige 
Assail the offended throne; or know indeed 
If beggar knees may win the immortal crown. 



THE RUINS. 33 

glorious ease ! if one may live by tears, 
And waft his spirit to glory with a sigh.'' 

Then in the dust, prostrate and proud, I pour 
Through weary hours the sacrificial cry, 
Cheap groans of expiation, selfish pleas, 
And strive the dark and silent throne to force. 
And open heaven with tears, that seethe and hiss 
Upon my fiery fear, and send aloft. 
For incense, heavy clouds that only hide 
The heavens in deeper darkness, and thus seem 
To thunder back an answer to my prayer : 
" I called ; thou hast refused, my counsel scorned, 
My knowledge hated, my reproof despised : 
Now, like a whirlwind though destruction come. 
Distress, and anguish, and terrific dread, 

1 mock thy terror, thy calamity 

I laugh at, will not answer to thy call. 
So eat the bitter fruit of thine own way. 
And with thine own devices be thou filled. 
Too late lament thy squandered heritage. 
The limit passed, what can repentance now ? 
How seize again lost opportunity ? * 

Too late ! the door is shut : too late, too late !" 

" O dreadful fate ! the gate of mercy closed, 



34 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

So quickly bolted to my pressing hand, 

And no admittance for my guiltiness. 

Oh ! can it be ? Kind Heaven ! reverse the doom ; 

Quench not the everlasting pity, bend 

A tender eye upon my wretchedness, 

Nor leave me to the wrestling of despair." 

But all is silent as a sepulchre. 

Save the quick throbbing of the sullen sea 

In the pent caverns of my misery. 

" Oh ! then, farewell, farewell the suppliant sigh, 
The pleading prayer ! it is but mockery. 
And only arms the vengeance. Farevvell, tears ! 
That hither bring no more your blessed freight 
Of pardon from the sky. Be dry henceforth. 
My eyes ! as eyes of death ; let sorrow drink 
Your fountain, like a desert. Farewell, hope ! 
Farewell for ever, peace and happiness ! 
That vainly I have sought, with sinful charms, 
To win to my devout society. 
Farewell, obedience, duty, righteousness, 
The holy longing, the immortal joy ! 
* Farewell the heavenly home, the company 
Angelic, and the vision of the Lord, 
The vision and the glory of the Lord ! '' 
And my hard heart, as obdurate as flint, 



THE RUINS. 35 

Seems, ever harder, from my' iron thoughts 

To strike the testy spark, enkindling more 

The tinder of my torture, more and more 

In the hot fever of remorseful pain. 

And weary hours of watching, day and night, 

Scan the lost past, and grimly gather up 

The hideous items of a misspent life ; 

Or labor at the sceptic's hopeless oar. 

Without a rudder, compass, star, to drive 

My fragile bark upon a raging sea ; 

Or try the god, with main and forceful hand 

To smooth the troubled deep. But still it roars ; 

And, like a whirlwind, but a moment bound, 

With tenfold power and pressure, rushes back 

The truth of God, to stir a deeper storm. 

O horror of a life that hopeless lives, 
Feeding on phantoms, which avenging fear 
•Breeds in the guilty bosom 1 Direful dreams 
Infest the restless night ; and, hot and chill. 
The feverish slumber starts. The dreary days 
Drag heavily, longer than happy years. 
Under the crushing weight of gloomy thoughts," 
That brood and brood, and all the lurid past, 
From the first ardent morning to the frost 
That nipped the latest promise, thickly strew 



36 . THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With wrecks of hopes and ashes of regret : 

While the dark future stretches black as night, 

And bellows dismal thunder through the soul. 

The very good is evil, blessings turn 

To torture, and the bitter than the sweet 

Is sv/eeter to my fevered appetite. 

Nay, from the Scriptures, sent in benison, 

Leaps agony, and from the loving page 

More than the threatening ; from whose holy face 

Shrinking, as from the presence of one wronged, 

Whose shining feature is a sharper pang. 

Vainly the letter, not the voice I hide, 

Still in the darkness heard. The Sabbath bells 

Ring anguish, and entice my vagrant feet 

To festive scenes of prayer, to sit on thorns. 

Tortured with worship. Music, barbed with joy. 

Like golden arrows pierces ; and the heart, 

Jangled and tuneless with its turbulence, 

Makes discord of the sweetest harmony. 

The dearest thought returns the heaviest woe ; 

And from the walls and windows saintly eyes 

Look, in their pictures, with a sad rebuke. 

As on a wretch, who vilely threw away 

The pearl and privilege of their blessedness. 

The merry voices, faces of content, 

Bird, flower and sunshine, every pleasant thing. 



THE RUINS. 37 

With the harsh dissonance of'my doleful soul 
Jar, like a pure note to an instrument 
Out of all tune ; while every dismal haunt, 
Storm, tumult, midnight, riot, burning, wreck, 
In bad delight of apt society. 
Has some refreshment for my wretchedness ; 
And more of hell is more of heaven to me. 
The dogs I envy, and the burdened beast, 
The drudge, the beggar, or apostate vile. 
Not yet forsaken of the cheer and hope. 
Not yet abandoned to the grim despair. 
And all the walls seem, as I walk along. 
Ready to crush me, and the heavens above 
To drop their burning bolts, and earth beneath 
To open, and with greedy jaws devour 
Another Korah, living, to the abyss. 
Conscience awake, hope dead,— this, this is hell ! 

■ Then, crimped with sneers, with haggard passion 

wan. 
Comes one with this profane advice : " Be brave ! 
And with unflinching courage meet thy fate, 
Whatever Heaven may threaten. Arm thee well 
With proof of firm defiance. Bar thy breast 
Against the brunt of conscience, and perforce 
Expel the stern intruder. Piping fear 



;^S THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Quencli in a hotter passion ; crush the woe ; 

Stifle the mutterings of tormenting guilt ; 

And in the giddy vortex of the world 

Drown silly apprehension. Seize the day ! 

And, losing heaven, now sate thee vv^ith" the earth." 

" No ! " to the tempter thus the quick reply. 
With open courtesy, with deep contempt, 
" Thy smooth advice with greater death is rank. 
Staring upon me v\^ith a desperate eye. 
What ! gild the black with ebon ? entertain 
The poor mocked heart with bitter mockery ? 
Cure the sad soul with doleful medfcine } 
Quench fire with fierce infusion of its flame ? 
Is woe the less, with all its garniture 
And gorgeous trappings of luxurious pomp } 
The cruel world ! I fear it, as one fears 
The fascination of the basilisk ; 
As one, just stung, the stinging adder dreads. 
What ! gayly court destruction ? while the wound 
Rankles with venom, madly hurry back 
To dally with the scorpion ? feed afresh 
The hungry conscience gnawing at the heart ? 
Still the tormentor, only more to rouse 
Refreshed for vengeance, till the slumbering years 
Wake in the endless watching of remorse ? 



THE RUINS. 39 

Is nothing wiser ? Prudence ! what advice ? ' 

Then, half angelic, half the breath of hell, 
I hear the whisper of Expedience : 
" Go-to thy doom, on the dread errand go. 
Unburdened with a needless penalty. 
There's method even in sinning, room for heed 
Even in the dire perdition. Why, why arm 
Eternal conscience v;ith unneeded ire ? 
Enough, enough already. How endure 
The present pang for ever ? how, if strung 
To tenfold pitch of fury ? Make amends, 
Sooner than court new wrath ; better appease, 
Even with the cold reluctant check of guilt, 
Than still defy the judgment Try, at least ; 
And henceforth be a blessing, though in tears. 
And kiss the hand that smites thee. It may be, 
Thy life hereafter, in a noble strain. 
And stint of sinning, will the past atone." 

" How sin no more, when sinning is the blood 
And sovereign feature of a heart accursed ? 
With varnished wrong make recompense for wrong? 
How shall the spotted hand atone? how bear 
Another's guilt, and cannot- bear its own ? 
Oh ! gladly I the meanest soul would bless, 



4o THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

In lowliest service toil, till the hard rock 
For pittances of harvest, bear the cross 
With an exultant suffeiing, could 1 go 
Of heavenly favor hopeful, and not sink 
In deeper billows, and enkindle more 
His wrath who needs not devils in his train. 
But holy servants, from the very stones 
Able to raise them up. Then what avail 
The deeds of blessing, that make no amends. 
But curse, without the cure of holy love ; 
And, noblest, cannot bear their own offence, 
But need the rescue of a higher help ? 
Yet to sit idly, and with empty hands 
Turn from the waiting fields, is guiltier still. 
Oh then, nor tireless toil, nor fruitless days. 
Nor doing everything, nor nothing done, — 
How am I smothered in my impotence ! 
Yet what is there beside ? and all is sin ; 
Sin, till the fallen soul is formed anew. 
And the heart captive to the will of Heaven." 

So mused the long hours, sorrowful and lone. 
Then bastard Kindness, fashioned to the world. 
Her utmost office tries, with stress of cheer 
To dupe the sad heart with society, 
The loaded table, and the festive scene ; 



THE RUINS. 41 

With sumptuous air to draw the anguish out, 
And force a mirth, which bitterly will know 
The outward is not sterling cheerfulness. 
The sad may frolic, laugh the wounded heart, 
And devils dance in wretched revelry. 
The kind hand smothers, not appeases woe, 
With the gay trappings of external joy, 
While deep beneath the sullen torture burns. 
Ah ! sweet content makes high festivity, 
With ministering angels and a crust, 
And all things answered to inquiring Heaven. 

Then stately Learning comes, with ponderous lore, 
To argue into blessing, tenfold press 
Knowledge already known, unload the heart 
By incubus of tomes. But precepts wise, 
However freely freighted with the truth. 
In their dry essence, are not living bread 
For hunger unto death. 'Tis not to know. 
But to know warmly, with a pregnant fire. 
That kindles into life ; while the cold hand 
Of frigid doctrine freezes more and more. 
Solidifying to its heartlessness. 
Oh ! vain the knowledge, vain the lofty thought. 
And the imperial press of argument, ' - 

Without the lucid teaching of the sky. 



42 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

The soul from its dark bondage to unbind. 

And on the crowded shelves of libraries 

Ruji feet of furies, with the holy print 

Of steps angelic in the messages 

Of light ; not light, unless toward heaven above 

A window open for the beams of God. 

And now, at length, a saintly messenger 
Comes with a wealth of rich experience, 
Warmly- to urge, plead with impassioned prayer, 
And point with tender gladness to the path 
Himself has trod, bright with the promises, 
And safe for every foot. Upon his brow 
Peace finely sits ; and from his gentle lips 
Persuasion sweetly flows ; and in his tongue. 
With happy confidence, faith boldly boasts. 
And triumphs in her hope. " But what hast thou," 
Answers my faithless to his faithful word, 
'* Whose fair life budded from the virtuous seed. 
With scarce a germ or rudiment of wrong 
To blossom in the untainted atmosphere. 
In common with my ripeness ? Show me one, 
Sunk to my depth, who ever rose to God, 
And gladly will I follow. Wise art thou, 
Because in season wise. Thy faith enjoy, 
And drink the daily comfort of thy hope, 



THE RUINS. 43 

Heir of eternal bliss. But how to me 

Can the bright angels bring their blessedness, 

With years of folly crusted on my heart, 

So thick and strono;, the happy feet are barred 

Above it, as upon a frozen sea 

An army glides ? What hope, when to my need 

No hopeful comfort speaks ; no heavenly hand 

Builds in my ruin ; by the mercy-seat 

No golden censer with my incense smokes ; 

No promise, vv^ith the music of its good. 

Sounds in my thirsty ear ; no gracious voice, 

Through earth resounding, reaches to my soul, 

Below the reach of mercy ? Else why hides 

God his dear face in darkness ? why the joy 

Runs everywhere but hither ? v/hy in vain 

Is Heaven implored, and only Hell replies ? 

Sweet peace desired, while from a deeper spring 

Daily I draw the dregs of bitterness ?" 

Then, black as midnight, shuts the darkness 
round 
In a temptation fiercest of them all. 
Thus urging home its fearful remedy : 
" Die then at once ; and the long struggle end 
With one sharp stroke. Come, bravely cast away, 
Down to the oblivious chambers, such a life, 



44 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

So vile, forsaken, comfortless, accursed, 
Which in some darker day of crime may close. 
Accomplished in the Devil's ministry. 
Thine is thy life, to keep or consummate. 
Who gave thee being, gave it to thy will. 
To use at pleasure. Choose a valiant fate. 
Curse God, and die ; and end the direful doubt 
Even with perdition. Meet him face to face 
With charges of thy cruel destiny. 
Or, it m^y be, there is no hell but earth." 

Then, as one sinking wrestles with the sea. 
Braces his lips, and beats the greedy wave. 
So, with clenched teeth to hold the blasphemy, 
I wrestle with the Tempter : " No, false fiend ! 
Who gave me being shall its breath command, 
And quench die flame He kindled. Days, be long ! 
The darkest earth to hell itself is bright, 
With some reprieve of anguish. Here I may 
Some moments sleep in worn forgetfulness. 
Not sleepless torture. Here I may receive 
Some blessing from His goodness yet, whose sun 
Even on the evil rises. Here I may 
Some little mercy render to my kind, 
And warn them of thee. Liar ! by my fate, 
And so my fate avenge. By thy deceit, 



THE RUINS. 45 

My soul I threw away. My flesh I'll hold, 
And, to my power, nurse it to utmost age, 
And keep thee, long as may be, from the hour 
Of full possession, when, in utter woe. 
With thee I drink the fiery cup of wrath. 
And wrestle with my dread eternity." 

Thus hopelessly, alone, guilt struggles on 
With darkness and despair; and vainly strives 
The heavy shackles of its misery 
To loosen, till a higher help Divine 
Order the sweet release. Thus human aid. 
With utmost prowess of its sympathy. 
Fails in the effort to create anew 
The shattered ruin. Deeper still the night. 
And the tossed spirit restless roams, and glides 
A spectre in the darkness, till the day 
Dawn from above. Thus all the arguments 
Of truth and hope, bent with the skill of love. 
Glance from the tempered shield of unbelief. 
Hard braced against the heavens, — impervious, 
Till God himself shall wing the gracious shaft. 
And sin surrender to its Conqueror. 



BOOK III. 

THE NEW FOUNDATION. 

The Son of God, as. Mediator, seen in glory. Addressing the Father, he 
declares wh}^ the chosen soul is left awhile in darkness and anguish ; claims 
it as his own ; sends the Spirit to renew. Sudden dawn of light. The 
plan of salvation unrolls in glorious brightness. Christ in symbol and 
prophecy. His advent ; life and works ; sufferings and death ; resurrec- 
tion and ascension. Faith accepts the heavenly grace by the Cross, and 
there rests. The happy effect. 

Up through the gloom, by gracious guidance led^ 
Above the smoke and din of earth afar, 
I mount in vision to the reahiis of Hght, 
And look within the City. By the -throne 
Eternal, at the right hand of all power, 
As high enthroned, in equal lustre bright ; 
With priestly robes arrayed, and royalty 
Of many crowns, and rod of endless rule ; 
His eyes as fire, his countenance as the sun, 
His every feature like a sea of love ; 
In infinite glow of beauty, glorified 
In human form and majesty divine, 

46 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 47 

I see the Lamb of God. Beforb him bend 

The thronging seraphim and radiant shapes 

Of angels, numberless as autmim leaves, 

With golden crowns and harps of happy praise, 

Exultant in their worship. But he seems, 

Above all else, intent to magnify 

The glory of his priesthood, mediate 

Between the Throne and earth, and fill the ranks 

Of his redemption. And I seem to hear 

Some of familiar sound, and many strange. 

Among the names upon his gracious lips 

In intercession for the guilty life ; 

With incense of a sacrifice so sweet 

It fills the world with fragrance ; while his hands 

Glow with the crimson tincture of the cross : 

And then my own, startled to hear my name 

Sounded in heaven. For now his beaming eye 

Bends on me, with a deeper tenderness 

Than ever mother for her first-born felt, 

As from the pages of the Book of Life, 

Spread like a sky begemmed with golden fires, 

To me he turns, then to the Father's ear. 

And utters thus his interceding plea : 

" Father supreme ! whose love ineffible 
Has sought by me to save the guilty, crown 



48 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Our throne with richer glory, and extend 

The bliss of these bright mansions, in this scroll 

Of life, from all the ages given me, burns 

The name of yonder wretched wreck of guilt, 

Tossed and confounded in the bitter storm 

Of sharp and hopeless woe. Him have I left 

To human wisdom, human help, to brood 

Awhile in darkness, till he thoroughly. 

As with a pen of iron engraven, learn 

His sin,* his weakness, and his vital need 

Of my redemptive hand ; that faith henceforth 

In me may root supremely, may defy 

The subtile edge of Satan, make the storm 

Enroot it only more, and never fail 

In fruitfulness of good. I claim him mine. 

I bore him in my heart before the worlds, 

And in my heart to earth and Calvary ; 

Now would I bear him to my glorious throne. 

I claim him b}^ my purchase, by thy gift, 

By our eternal counsel. Deep though fallen 

He lies, and with dark billows overwhelmed. 

Deeper thy grace, and thy rich mercy more 

Than justice in his death ; justice set free 

To justify through my victorious cross. 

It is enough. The written hour is come 

For Heaven to stoop, and lift the fallen up 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 49 

To fellowship for ever. Blot his past, 

Erase the hideous tincture of his guilt, 

And I will answer. Crucified with me, 

Henceforth in holy newness let him walk. 

Safe from the power of evil. Raise his death 

To immortality, and his despair 

To an exultant hope. Fly, Spirit, fly ! 

Renew him in my image, and restore 

His ruin in the beauty of my life, 

In growing holiness, till he attain 

The perfect heaven, and hope to glory come 

In white robes of eternal festival." 

As when one, fast in slumber and the thrall 
Of fearful dreams, till the bright hours are high. 
Roused by a gentle hand, the curtain drawn. 
Starts at the sudden light; so I at length. 
Touched by renewing grace, the veil removed. 
From lethargy awoke, and dreadful night. 
To unexpected day. The gracious heavens. 
At His command, opened their radiant brow, 
Like the first dawn from darkness, as the face 
Of Jesus rose upon me, full of light, 
A sun no more to set. Now all is clear. 
For now the Scriptures are an open glass, 
And Christ the interpretation, and the Cross 



so THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Key to the hidden treasure. Prophecy 

Ripens its meaning. Every altar burns 

With sacrificial figures of the true, 

The bloody index of the coming Lamb, 

And incense redolent of redeeming love. 

I saw it all, and ran the wonder through. 

Along the crimson line of history. 

From Eden to the consummating Cross, 

And took the promise home. I felt the plan. 

And the strong pulses of eternal love 

Bearing me like a sea, and in the hand. 

Red with the shining hue of sacrifice. 

Ransom and pardon for my guiltiness, 

However black, if I will lay it there. 

And take,, so freely given, the offered grace. 

And as from some high station, clear of clouds, 

By dearth of prospect quickened to the view. 

One sees the morning rise, and far and near. 

In bright procession to the advancing light, 

The beauteous hosts of things in outline fair 

Fill the horizon ; so, as faith aw^oke. 

And the dark letter gave its spirit forth, 

And Heaven unsealed my blindness, on my sight 

The gracious truth broke sweetly, and I saw 

The glorious vision of redemption pass. 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 5 1 

The sovereign Father, in eternal light, 
With infinite pity for the wayward world, 
Cursed in the onset of rebellious wrong. 
Planned the high counsel to adorn his crown 
With wreaths of glory from the fields of grace. 
Immortal trophies from the ranks of death. 
And reign Redeemer. Down the glorious thought 
Comes sounding through the ages, making rich 
Heaven with its music, and the earth as sweet 
As incense from the promised benison, 
Folding its virtue back. I hear it speak 
To the first sinners of the guilty race, 
The unborn parents of a Birth Divine, 
Whose bruise will be the healing of their wound, 
And make the thorny blossom with the rose. 
The dark with promise brighter, to sustain, 
Against the serpent and the flaming sword, 
Their doleful fortune in their banishment. 
I hear it, in the patriarchal years, 
Comfort the pilgrim, and his faith enrich 
With heritage on high, and all his wa}^. 
However lone and foreign, homeward guide 
Where the eternal Builder has prepared 
A City with foundations. By the Mount, 
Ablaze and quaking with the fiery law, 
I see it plant its standard, and erect 



52 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

A Zion in the wilderness ; leap forth 
In living water from the smitten rock, 
Imparadising deserts ; drop in dew 
Of nightly manna, and with angels' food 
Feeding the rebels; on the altar burn, 
And pour itself in rivers from the veins 
Of sacrificial victims, and alone, 
Clad in high-priestly vestments, yearly stand. 
With sprinkled blood and smoking incense sweet, 
To make atonement for a nation's sins. 
Within the Holiest Place : with shadows thick 
Forecasting, through the ages typical, 
The coming glory of the Sacrifice, 
Whose death is sum of all. I hear it sound 
From the rapt prophet, with his harp of harps 
Tuned to the measures of the mighty song, 
And his quick vision, by the light of God, 
Catching the distant splendor, and his soul 
Filled with the Spirit and the fire Divine, 
And glory of the grace, till all breaks forth 
In sounding praise and promise, with a voice 
So rich and clear, so sweet and musical. 
So strong and glad, the angels are entranced, 
^ The earth astonished, and Jehovah pleased. 

Now dawns the day of promise, and the Sun 



THE NEW FOUNDATION, 53 

Hastes to his rising, eager by delay 

To gather all the shadows in his wings, 

And scatter light and immortality 

Upon the waiting nations. From the throne 

Eternal, from the mystery Divine, 

Triple society in One, most dear 

In infinite communion, God of God, 

With splendor veiled, celestial riches left. 

Emptied and weak, all fullness yet concealed 

Under the humble flesh of his descent, 

Immanuel stoops to men. I see him now, 

Wondrously born, and worshipped wondrously 

By heavenly host and star intelligenf 

To guide the eastern sages with their gifts 

Of orient treasure to his princely feet, 

With lowly shelter, in a manger laid. 

Unroyal cradle of the King of kings, 

The infant Son of God ; in childhood, ripe 

In filial honor, subject to his home, 

Yet with a wisdom older than the scribes 

Baffling the Temple ; by the Jordan wave, 

With water and the Spirit and the Voice 

Baptized and consecrated and confessed. 

Commencing his great manhood and the work 

To found the Heavenly Kingdom ; pressing on, 

In zeal of word and suffering, to fulfill 



54 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

The Father^s vast commission. Weary, sad, 

Oppressed, despised, afflicted, patiently 

He bears a daily cross before the cross, 

Drinks many a bitter cup before the last. 

Tempted and victor, God and man at stake, 

The glorious prize, as of two wrestling worlds. 

He wrings from furious Hell. With holy iire. 

With Sinai in his breath, and law ablaze. 

The proud he scorches, and the hypocrites 

Crimps with his burning scorn ; with gracious lips. 

Tender and sweet as Heaten itself in love. 

Blesses with peace and comfort every heart 

Of humble need and trust ; with words of light. 

Like a new orb arisen, and the old 

Refired and burnished in his glowing tongue. 

Illustrates God and nature, earth and heaven, 

Law, life and duty, and the human soul 

Fixes in truthfulness of guilt and need. 

So clearly, even the echoes of his voice 

Are still the richest legacy of truth 

From Truth itself to men. The deepest heart 

With faultless search he ranges, every thought 

Brings captive from its wildest phantasy ; 

Hallows the night with prayer, the mountain top 

With grand society and majesty 

Of his transfigured glory ; while the earth, 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 55 

Blessed in her needy thousands, sees his power, 

And tastes his benediction. Devils flee. 

The loosened prisoner leaps and laughs again. 

The fever cools its fiery turbulence. 

And peace expels the fury. Leprosy 

Gives up its hideous banquet ; sightless eyes, 

Their stubborn darkness ; inarticulate tongues, 

Their dumb inaction; silent ears, their hush 

Of awful stillness ; withered, blighted limbs, 

Their nerveless impotence ; even Death himself. 

In grim reluctance, from captivity 

The victims of his chains, — obedient 

To the same voice that binds the blustering winds, 

And smooths the sea to pavement; while the 

poor, 
In higher bliss of healing, freely hear 
The everlasting gospel. So it fares. 
Through suffering years of blessing, till the end, 
The birth-throe of a world from guilt to grace. 
Comes on in glorious horror, and the Lamb, 
In meek submission, spotless innocence, 
Is ready, all the shadows to complete, 
Alone, in one Redemptive sacrifice. 

And now I see Him, in the garden, bowed 
la the deep loneliness and darkness, bowed 



56 THE TEMPLE REBUILT, 

Under the guilty burden of the world, 

Bowed to the struggle, while the messages 

Of bloody sweat, in great red drops, announce 

The fearful conflict. And with tearful cry 

He wrestles in his urgent agony, 

That the dread cup may pass, yet willingly 

Will drink it to the dregs ; prevailing so 

By strength imparted for the draught of death ; 

Submission victor, and the heavenly love 

In human triumph crowned. And my sad heart, 

By cqntemplation softening to the mood, 

Beats fast in sorrowing sympathy, to see 

The Master watching so, and they asleep, 

The nearest fellows of bis ministry. 

Who, weary, yet might watch one hour, nor need 

The willing spirit to excuse the flesh. 

But, lo ! upon the atoning scene appears. 

Lanterned and weaponed as against a thief, 

The soldier crew profane, and in the front 

The avaricious lips of treachery, 

To lay their hideous falseness on the face 

Dear to the kiss of angels, and with awe, 

Like lightning, casting headlong to the ground 

The rude rough men of arms. While timid love 

Flees to the covert of her fears, and leaves 

The faithful Shepherd to the howling wolves. 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 57 

I see him now, Lord of his Enemies, 
Their gentle captive, to his trial dragged. 
With malice witness, and with weakness judge ; 
Bandied from priest to king, till hate of years 
Grows -friendly in the courtesy of wrong; 
With oaths denied, belied with blasphemy ; 
Robed in empurpled insult, crowned with thorns, 
Hailed with false knees, the pomp of mimic state, 
Derisive reverence, mockery of love ; 
Smitten with brutal buffets, spit upon. 
Scourged, with a rudeness rougher than Ae rod ; 
Rejected, and a murderer preferred, 
Red-handed guilt to guiltless innocence. 
With frenzy of self-cursing, soon to come, 
A tide too deep to fathom. Yet, withal. 
Great in unanswering meekness, not a word. 
No look of anger, not a sign to show 
A hushed Omnipotence, but with sweet force 
Holding the ready legions, and the hour 
To bannered darkness yielding, like a sheep 
Dumb in her shearer's hand, in willing pangs 
He suffers, suffers to the dreadful end, 
In full obedience of his holiness. 

Then, from the judgment and the furious cry, 
Its fearful purpose won, sorely bewailed 



58 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

By those who had more cause themselves to mourn, 

Their sad cheeks scalding with the bitter flow, 

I see^Him bear his cross, and rudely fall, 

Weak with the torturing night ; the cruel nails 

At their hard office, and the tree of shame 

Its bloody branches stretching to the world. 

Red with the ripe redemption, fruit of grace ; 

The heavenly clusters bruised, and hands Divine 

To malefactors offering the new cup 

Of the fresh vintage ; envy, malice, hate. 

Like lions loose, shaking their haughty manes. 

And raging in their fancied victory. 

But as upon some rough tumultuous scene. 

Mixed of the storm and sunshine, bursts the bow. 

Arched in its gorgeous drapery of hues 

Up to the top of heaven, prevenient sign 

Of mercy, mercy in her fairest mood, 

Above the howling wrath ; so on this dark 

Background of fury and infernal cloud, 

Out of the setting Sun, bright passages 

Of glory break, an arch of majesty. 

Filling the world with light, — the numbing myrrh, 

In pity offered to the quivering lips. 

Refused in deeper pity ; the dear thought 

Of her, whose presence comforts even the cross. 

Pierced with his pangs, and tenderly bequeathed, 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. gg 

Love's last bequest to love ; the dying thief, 
First with the fresh blood sprinkled to the hope 
Of paradise that day ; and, over all, 
The gracious cry, the echo of the Throne, 
The key and temper of the wondrous hour, 
" Father, forgive ; they know not what they do ! " 
Forgive ! and all the earth and heavens are filled 
With the prevailing sweetness of that prayer. 
Still through the ages pleading, answered still. 

Now, with the slow hours, and the iron Sin 
Treading its bloody vintage, darkness comes ; 
Comes in impending horror, in the pall 
Upon the mourning heavens in sympathy ; 
Comes in the cloud upon the heavenly throne. 
The silence to his strong necessity, 
The heaviest stroke, pressing the plaintive wail : 
" My God, my God ! why hast thou forsaken me ? '' 
Then, all fulfilled, even to the utmost pang, 
Prophecy, purpose, duty, sacrifice, 
Like the low thunder from the murky dome, 
Or shout of noble onset, breaks aloud 
The dying cry of victory, death and hell 
Defeated in their triumph, '^It is done !" 
And the great Victor bows his head and dies, 
His work all finished, and the world redeemed. 



6o THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Earth is convulsed, and through her rocky nerves 
A shudder shoots, and the fast-anchored hills 
Reel like the sea. The temple veil is rent, 
To all the Holiest opening, and the ark 
Of mercy to the world, to every man 
Priesthood before the altar. Stony graves 
Gape wide, and from their sleep the sainted dead, 
Touched with the might and meaning of the hour, 
Awake, and wait the footsteps of their Lord, 
To follow forth to life, earnest and proof 
Of resurrection with the risen Christ ; 
That, mightier still than death, the dark domain 
He has invaded, who unbinds those chains. 
And will at last the captive world unbind. 

Dead ! but not dead the passion of the wrong, 
As now the cruel message of the spear 
Follows the flying spirit. With this stroke, 
Deep to the very heart, making the Rock 
Gush with the gracious fountain, and the last 
The holy body at the hands of sin 
Shall ever suffer, love resumes control, 
And lays it sadly in the fragrant tomb, 
To rest the quiet Sabbath, till the dawn 
Of the first day, to be for ever first 
By consecration of the risen Lord. 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 6l'* 

He sleeps in peace ; and round him, like a sea, 
Surges the tide of disappointed grief. 
And angry chafing of the sullen storm ; 
While Hate exults, and with her double guard 
Means to retain her victim. But, behold ! 
At the full hour, and spring of early dawn. 
With earthquake, and attendant ministry 
Of shining wings, tlie Lord of life and death 
Bursts the cold fetters and imprisoning night 
Forth to eternal day, great Conqueror, 
No more, no more to bear the deadly bruise 
And stamp of mortal woe ; with power complete 
To wear the nations for his diadem 
In majesty of grace. Before his steps. 
In blazing raiment, back an angel rolls 
The stony door, that love may enter in, 
After her tears and weary wandering, 
With lowly faith to rest, and rise again 
In newness of immortal blessedness. 

Now, as the highest summits catch the first 
Beams of returning morning, and are bathed 
In the warm splendor, while the valleys lie 
Chill in the dew and darkness, so the hearts 
Nearest to heaven, on that refulgent morn, 
The women early at the sepulchre, 



62 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Are first to feel the risen radiance, 
Dry up their tears, and brighten into joy, 
While the slow unbelief is sorrowing on. 
But swift feet bring the resurrection news, 
And Christ comes after, till the flock forlorn 
Know, in the open vision of his face. 
The Lord is risen indeed, and witnesses 
Become of this exultant fact, with faith 
So strong, unmoved by every threatening, 
It still confesses in the eye of death. 

Then joyfully, as from a sea of tears 
Joy rises, sunlike, with a brighter wing. 
To show the dark dominion overpast, 
The risen Savior, wonderful, I see. 
Not as an apparition of the air. 
But in the solid fact of intercourse, , 
In every change the same, the very form 
In thorough substance ; in and forth, at will. 
Like spirit, through the close-barred entrances, 
As through the crystal wall the piercing light; 
In sweet companionship confirming faith ; 
Arguing his open wounds, from doubting lips 
To draw confession of his Deity ; 
Breathing the Holy Spirit, the solemn power 
To bind or loosen, ratified in heaven, 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 6^ 

And bear the key of mortardestiny ; 

Opening the Scriptures, showing the shining veins 

Of prophecy all crimson with his blood, 

And altars quivering with his agony ; 

Marshalling the little band for victory. 

With grace and promise and the great command, 

Helped from on high, the nations all to teach 

Holy discipleship, baptizing them 

Into the three-fold glorious Name Divine ; 

Still sounding to the ears of unbelief 

The alarm of peril, and the bliss of faith, 

His presence with them always to the end. 

Then, even as at the last He will appear, 
I see him from the slope of Olivet, 
Borne on his own sweet incense, blessing still, 
Out of the wondering circle and the sphere . 
Of sorrow and humiliated love. 
In lustrous pomp and radiant state ascend; 
With shouts of welcome, and angelic songs 
Choiring his victories ; all the shining way 
With flowers celestial strewn, and gorgeous clouds 
The chariot of his triumph ; seraphim 
In fiery ranks attending, stars and thrones 
In bright battalions, and the blaze of God : 
Up through the jubilant armies, and the gates 



64 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With lavish garlands wreathed, up to his place, 

His ancient seat with added lustre, now 

To reign for ever, till his enemies 

Are made his footstool, and his glorious Bride, 

Without a spot, a wrinkle, or defect, 

In white robes of his crimson purity. 

Is to his bosom gathered, to the throne 

Of blissful honor in the heavenly home, 

Of blissful exultation without end. 

All this I saw, or clearly seemed to see. 
As through the vision faith ran breathless on. 
And to my need high Heaven interpreted. 
The letter turned to spirit, doubt to fact, 
Till dead belief, in hollow words entombed. 
Became a living glory, and the Sun 
Rose in resplendent day. And as a bird 
After the tempest to the brightness sings. 
So, weary with its tumult, my sad heart 
Is with the glorious revelation turned 
From murmuring to the ecstasy of peace. 
The storm is still ; to azure melt the clouds ; 
The air is full of sweetness ; beauteous wings 
Flash in the joyous sunlight ; merrily 
Dance the bright waters; woods in chorus sing, 
With every bird and twig and insect tuned 



THE NEW FOUNDATION. 65 

To my rejoicing spirit ; all the way 

With orient beauty bannered, and fair Hope 

Alluring with her festive promises 

Of earthly blessing, and of heaven beyond. 

So blest it was, as at the gracious feet, 
In lowly trust, in penitence and love. 
Salvation from His wounded hands I took, 
In all its wealth of mercy, as my own 
Down to my deepest need, my blackest guilt, 
To clear the past, the future days to bless 
With purity and peace ; and knew the voice, 
" Whoever will, life's waters let him drink,'' 
An invitation to my thirsty soul. 
An invitation to a needy world. 
Amazed and humbled at my faithless fear 
Lest the Throne fail, itself in gracious pledge," 
I drink, I bathe me in the living stream. 
And wash my garments from their filthiness ; 
Press boldly to the bending cherubim ; 
Dare to my Father's house return again, 
Accept the loving welcome, and commence 
The course, of duty open to my steps 
Along the blissful pathway of the skies : 
Helped by the Dreair.er, most of human helps, 
Whose heart, by wondrous discipline of grace 



66 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Through all the wide experience of the way, 
Taught how the Pilgrim the fair City gained, 
Pilgrim himself and guide. Nor earth alone 
In sympathy and eloquence of love, 
But heaven itself with joy angelic burns, 
To welcome the returning wanderer, 
Another harp prepare, another throne 
Wheel to the shining pavement of the blest, 
And blend my worthless with the immortal names 
Upon the flaming pages of the Lamb. 



BOOK IV. 
THE HOLY BUILDERS. 

The glory of Solomon's Temple. The sphitual Temple yet more glo- 
rious. Built in the divine pattern, by heavenly Builders. The Holy Spirit, 
Architect and Director. The holy Graces, his fruit and ministers. Their 
beauty, power and excellence. Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Gentle- 
ness. Courage. Goodness. Fidelity. Meekness. Temperance. Hope. 
Humility, Faith. 

How beautiful the Temple, and how grand, 
Where, in bright cloud, between the cherubim, 
God on the golden ark of mercy sat, 
In dread expression of his majesty ! 
.Marvel of buildings, and the heavenly plan 
In gorgeous architecture, by the skill, 
The wisdom and the wealth of Solomon, 
The great precursor of a greater King ; 
Splendor in stone, beauty in massy form, 
Gold and sweet cedar wrought in art divine, 
And costly grace in lavish glory piled ; 
For God to dwell in and be daily filled 



68 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With incense, sacrifice and lofty praise, 
Magnificence of worship, types of .grace. 
And awful glories of the holy Law. 

Above Moriah Zion brightly shines. 
The w^orld to win, the darkest lands illume 
With radiance of a richer righteousness. 
As the full face of day extinguishes 
Night's twinkling glories, — Zion's living light. 
The temple of the holy soul, rebuilt 
From nature's direful ruins, every stone 
Wrought and adorned and wonderfully laid 
By heavenly fingers. Deep the work divine, 
Strong and puissant, proof against the storm. 
Cemented with the purpose to endure 
Through ages everlasting, and again 
Never to reck of ruin ; Christ the rock. 
The Spirit the gracious architect, and man . 
The living substance, vital with the. life 
From heaven to heaven. The noble edifice, 
However humble now and incomplete. 
Will grow in beauty, splendor, stateliness, 
Till, to the topmost pinnacle, it stands 
In the full finish of immortal grace, 
A temple worthy of the glorious King 
From all the ages building, and with cost 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 69 

Surpassing worlds^ and infinitely met 

Only from his own throne and boundless heart. 

The holy Graces here, the fruit divine, 
Are fellow-builders in the bounteous art 
The temple to erect, which now alone 
Grows as they grow, and rises as they rise ; 
Fair daughters of the sky, not yet complete, 
But growing, by the virtue of the Lord, 
In beauty, sweetness, lustrous character, 
To his full form and finish. Not alone. 
In cold self-seeking solitude of work, 
Laboring in death, but with the Bridegroom joined, 
In union deathless as immortal love. 
They glory ; like the burning seraphs sing. 
Take his dear hand of comfort every hour. 
Are fruitful, teem with living righteousness. 
And, by his luminous communion, shine 
More and more purely with his perfect light, 
In the clear image of his excellence. 

O choir celestial ! on seraphic wings 
Descending, come, attune the gracious air 
Within a mortal bosom, and afar 
Your bliss melodious pour, to show the world 
How heaven may dwell in earth, and holy hands 



70 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Build a fair temple in the flesh of time. 
A worthy wisdom render, and preside 
In every tuneful chord, as I attempt 
Your praise to sing, your bright nobility. 
And to your notes, as by your hands of help, 
In happy labor let the building rise. 

O first and dearest. Love ! the chief delight 
And glory of the temple, Queen of queens, 
Throned with a sceptre of so sweet a sway 
Thy blows are blessings, hand in hand with thee 
I go forth godlike, and the lowliest life 
Of duty make sublime. The roughest path 
Is smooth, the mountain level, cares have wings ; 
The toiling steps go singing, and the cross 
Weighs like a plume. Thou teachest me to love 
The humblest work of God, his dust of power. 
And fill my heart with insects, birds and flowers, 
Whose million wings the Almighty glory waft, 
And with their countless perfumes sweeten praise; 
Not less than with creation's grander shapes. 
The rainbow, river, forest, mountain, cloud, 
The amazing ocean, and the flaming worlds 
That brightly banner heaven. By thee, yet more, 
I love my mortal fellow ; love as thine, 
Eternal Love ! who loved to Calvary ; 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 7 1 

Love for the potent gleams of greatness shown 

Even in his ruin ; love in sin and shame, 

In wrath and shipwreck, in the direful dark 

Midnight of madness, in the fearful rush 

And riot of perdition, in the hate 

Of all the dearest meaning of my hopes. 

My enemy and thine. Yet higher, thou 

Thy tender favorites teachest me to take 

Into a deeper bosom of desire ; 

With Christ, the master magnet of the heart, 

And first attraction of the saintly name ; 

In him arrayed, the image of his grace, 

And body of his glory, bringing heaven 

With daily nearness to the needy earth ; 

The brethren of celestial fellowship, 

Comrades of toil, partners of sacrifice. 

Devoted embassy to human weal, 

Heirs of immortal state ; the glorious Bride, 

In grace and beauty training for the day 

Of perfect union in the heavenly home. 

Of perfect blessing in the realms of bliss. 

Where, in resplendent raiment white as snow, 

In radiant likeness of the loving Lord, 

With happy service, mighty minstrelsy. 

Without a pang, a sigh, a groan, a tear. 

To .mar the goodly glory, we shall dwell . 



72 THE TEMPLE REBUILT, 

Together, one in love, in love enthroned 

Above the angels though by sin unscarred 

And pure with holy ages of renown, 

All for the Master's sake. Whom, more than all, 

Than nature, man, friend, holy brotherhood, 

Savior supreme, I will supremely love. 

And make the centre of my happy world. 

Head of my heart, and heart of all my heaven ; 

Worthy to wear the eternal diadem 

Of love,* of blessing, of immortal praise. 

One with the Father in devotion due : 

The Father, object of the warmest flame. 

The force of worlds, the sway of government. 

In the wise pleasure of a providence 

Minute as atoms, boundless as the spheres ; 

Great in the moods of judgment, greater still 

In the abounding reach of mercy ; quick 

In the responsive listening to our need ; 

Source of all good, the sea of all delight, 

Supreme, ineffable, immortal Love. 

And loving this great Being, first of all 

The hunger of the soul is satisfied. 

The largest law fulfilled, and still the heart 

So wide expanded in the warm embrace, 

That all things worthy, in the ample room, 

Rest in a warmer welcome, and are fed 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 73 

With richer viands of the feast of love. 

O Grace of gladness, come, celestial Joy ! 
And fill the temple with the notes of bliss, 
The music of redemption. Let the song 
Build with the builders, every living stone 
Leap in the rising arches, and the walls 
Grow with the noble rapture. Sweet the smile, 
And potent in its beauty ; and the heart 
Lays its fine gems in joy. Glad is the hour 
Of wedded love, and dear the kiss of truth, 
And friendship blessed, and the ringing laugh 
Like music, and the cradle garlanded. 
And victory glorious with exulting bells, 
And health a happiness, and ardent work 
Jocund with zest of gain, and cultured art 
Complacent in its grace, and riches grand 
In all the pompous elegance of ease, 
And office rank with honor, and the praise 
Of human lips a cup of revelry. 
But what is all the rapture of the world, 
The ecstasy and glory of an hour, 
Quenched in eternal night, a heaven of sin 
Compared with heaven indeed ? The holy soul 
A heavenly palace stands, and voices pure 
Already from the deepest chambers breathe 



74 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Celestial cadence, and the harps of earth 
Fill with the resonance of immortal joy : 
Joy from the sin forgiven, the mortal debt 
Canceled for ever by the crimson seal ; 
Joy from the open Scriptures, luminous 
By the new vision of the heart renewed ; 
From sovereign goodness seen in every thing, 
Star, tempest, human step, ordered and held 
In His controlling care ; from the sweet trust, 
The weakness leaning on the strength Divine, 
The dear communion, the enrapturing thrill 
Of high devotion, loving sacrifice. 
The sense of living in the eye of God, 
And all our way his wisdom. From afar, 
And from the daily circumstances, throng 
Glad messengers of mercy to announce 
The never-failing good. Devoted deeds 
The Sabbath hallow ; and its holy aim 
Pours through the busy currents of the week 
A consecration, whose ennobled gain 
Anoints the day anew. The very rod 
With blessing blossoms, and the beaming tears 
Mirror the heavens, and penitently cast 
A rainbow on the storm ; lightened by love. 
Whose sturdy champion. Duty, ready stands 
The hardest task delighted to perform. 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 7$ 

Conscience is friendly, and her fiery stings 

Turn to caresses. Prayer, with favor fraught, 

In answer joyous from the Throne returns. 

Throws its bright halo round the humblest brow. 

And with its strong munitions fortifies 

Against the wrath and roughness of the world. 

And how the heart exults the lost to find. 

Alive the dead to bring, the wandering sheep 

Back safely to the fold ! while rapture thrills 

From soul to soul in saintly sympathy. 

Sings with the spheres, the heavenly harps attunes 

To higher anthems. With ecstatic glow 

The bosom burns in zeal with every stroke 

To hew the throne of Satan, and advance 

The reign of truth, the sway of liberty. 

In full dominion to the utmost shore. 

Yea, with victorious rapture may I sing 

Even in the sharp advantages of death, 

And triumph at the portals of the tomb ; 

Exult in humble hope, the anchor cast 

Beyond the tempest, safely at the end, 

The perils past, the heavenly haven won, 

To dwell for ever in the light of God. 

And thou. Creation ! all in sympathy 
With man's redemption, waiting to be free, 



76 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With the full chorus of thy symphonies 

Swell the rejoicing song. Ye prisoned tongues! 

Burst your cold fetters for the fervid strain 

That fills the roughest lips with eloquence. 

Sing, sing, ye feathery hosts ! Sing, murmuring 

rills ! 
In silvery cadence to the bending flowers. 
Leap, ye high hills ! with bosoms flecked with 

flocks. 
And wave your woody garlands. Mountains ! 

where 
The tempests riot in rude revelry, 
Turn to majestic hymns. Tune, billowy seas ! 
Your hoarse notes to a milder melody. 
Clouds ! peal in anthem ; roll, ye thunder-tones ! 
In mighty volume, like the voice of God. 
Ye forests ! with a thousand pipes repeat 
The sounding diapason of the air, 
And, to the winds that roam the firmament, 
Break forth in rapture of the gracious morn. 
But more, if rigid Nature finds a tongue. 
Yet more, O happy voice ! exult, exult, 
Out of the living temple. Sing, glad heart ! 
With fervor strong melodious passion pour, 
To match the music of the joyful skies, 
And sound to ail the wretched, weary world, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. ^^ 

What rich delight, what comfort, what content, 
Await the new devotion. Glow, like fire 
From smouldering ashes breathing liberty, 
O soul set free ! O victor over sin ! 
Now triumph in your happy festival, 
And, with unending ardor, celebrate 
Your jubilee of freedom. Shout afar : 
'' Hear, ye bright stars, ye sons of glory ! who 
Creation's morning sang with mighty lays ; 
With you I am immortal, and will sing 
A new creation greater than your song. 
Above your harps, in ransomed ecstasy, 
And pour a note, whose rich triumphant joy 
Will crown the endless anthems of the blest." 

And now, fair Peace ! the living temple stands 
A sacred Janus, with its folded doors 
Shut to the warring passions, still from strife, 
Thy calm abode. And through the quiet air 
The dove flies on soft pinions, and her nest 
Builds high among the arches, where the noise 
Of the rude world is in tranquility 
Hushed, like the waters when the winds have fled. 

The tumult ceases, and the angry sky. 
Hoarse with dire thunder, petulant with -storm, 



78 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Is soothed in sunshine. And the grim wrought sea, 
Vexed with the fury of embattled \vinds, 
And rough with foaming coursers, racing on 
In the wild whirl of waters, now at rest, 
Mirrors the heavens, smiles to the quiet shore, 
Pets the trim vessel, and in safety hears 
The singing seamen to their destined port. 
With dolphins sporting in the buried storm. 
And in the fields, furrowed with plows of war. 
Where battle, hot with hate, and drenched in gore, 
Struggled in death, now silver lilies grow^, 
The sweet birds fly and sing, and the rich year 
Yields her broad harvests to the hand of peace. 
So peaceful is it, when the Prince of Peace 
Unholy strife expels, and fills the soul. 
After the war and tumult, with a peace 
Not as the v/orld, but like the holy calm 
Upon the hills of heaven, so still, serene. 
Unruffled, tranquil, quiet, undisturbed, 
A bounteous land, an ocean of repose. 
With God no more is war, no more wdth man 
In heartless thrust of injury, and no more 
With self, defeated most in victory ; 
But harnessed now in holiness, and high 
The heavenly banner waving, one with God, 
And one with human good, and one with self, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 79 

The battle is with wrong and wretchedness, 
Whose peace is war, whose overthrow is peace 
In all the warring nations. Glorious hour ! 
To see the lightning sheathed, the wrath again 
To smiles benignant turn, and all tlie heavens 
With loving aspect bend ; and feel the arm 
Almighty with us moving, shield to shield, 
On to victorious peace ; and know within 
The calm of God, the anxious care at rest, 
The sweet content, the fiery passion quelled 
To lay its armor off, the soul subdued 
To turn its stormy winter to the sun, 
And take the promise in its blessedness : 
Not always, but with such prevailing grace, 
The darkness comes forth brighter, every strife 
In richer victory of peace, till all 
Is full of quiet, and the thunderous air 
Stills its dire muttering, and the glorious Lord 
Fulfills his Sabbath in the soul of man. 

Next, like a giant, laying stones of proof 
To task the engines, and with steady step 
Carrying the massive load, strong Patience gives 
Strength to the rising temple, and supports 
With everlasting pillars. Oh ! to bear, 
And, as we bear, to look on Calvary, 



8o THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And see wrong, insult, every suffering borne 

With such sublimity of patience, all 

Our troublous trifles are as summer dust 

A bird may fl}^ with on her easy plume. 

And sing to heaven ! Why hapless call the cup 

Brimming with sorrow ? why perverse and sour 

The savor of correction ? why amiss 

The fruitful flow of tears ? why rough and strange 

The friction of a hard and suffering lot. 

Like diamond dust, the waiting crown the more 

Brightly to furbish ? why tyrannical 

The sovereign rule of Love, whose wisdom runs 

From end to end, and every thing compels 

To work for glory and a grander good ? 

Nay, with thee, rather. Patience of the Lord ! 
Into the coffin calmly can I look. 
And see death rob me ; take misfortune home 
To cheerful entertainment ; hopes behold, 
Ripe for the sickle, by one fiery swoop 
Garnered in ashes, wealth on eager wing 
Fly, like an eagle, from my golden nest, 
To build in other haunts ; feel in my flesh 
Disease at riot, nerves as needles, keen 
To stitch the garment sensitive, and clothe 
Life with a double death ; hear tongues of hate, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 8l 

With cruel venom barbed, my innocence 

Wound like a heartless target; have them come, 

Hard, pitiless comforters, and to my heat 

Add fuel, or my shivering bosom numb 

With frosty consolation. Yea, all this ; 

And, by thy Spirit, O thou Crucified ! 

Girt to the task, I can the heaviest cross. 

However sorely bent, bear patiently. 

And glory in thy steps. And if I faint. 

And groans displace the song, and murmuring 

Begin its dismal whimper, or a thought 

Still dare propound its fretful argument. 

More wise than Heaven, then in my weakness 

come. 
Eternal Patience ! show me Calvary, 
The crown, the weight of glory, show thyself. 
And with the gracious vision make me strong. 

Now, from the very Holiest, Gentleness, 
Filling the temple with an exquisite air, 
In velvet sandals comes : smooths the rough way. 
And plants no thorns ; the sensibility 
Even of a worm respects, and tenderly 
Touches an open wound : whose matchless art. 
Beyond the skill of courts, or mannered schools. 
Or cunning etiquette, inspired of love, 



82 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Comes from the courtly intercourse of Christ, 

The incarnate Gentleness, who from the throne 

Divine politeness brought, showing the eaith 

How gentle are the heavens. With this I can 

Bow to the beggar, and not see his rags ; 

Know, and not notice, keen deformity ; 

Slip, and not thrust, the charity ; the soul 

Can honor in a tawny skin, the man 

In any manliness ; the very slave 

A monarch treads on can esteem as much 

As the great monarch, if as worthy, — more. 

If worthier ; can as smiling be behind 

As in the presence, after as before 

Misfortune stripped the man ; can kindly greet 

The frowning brow of bitter enmity ; 

And sooner would be eyeless, than the eye 

Sharpen in mockery ; tongueless, than the tongue 

Distil in venom ; handless, than the hand 

Sell to the use of wrong, or touch a wound 

It cannot touch to help. Oh, how in souls. 

Once adamant, and rough as wintry winds. 

The womanly is mighty in the man, 

And v/oman made divine in gentleness, . 

By thy soft Spirit, tender Son of God ! 

But bounteous Goodness will, with ampler grace, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 83 

By deeds of benefit the temple build. 

Noble, to harm not; nobler still, to bless; 

More like the Master, whose absorbing life 

Was benefaction. So the gentle heart 

Is half a saint, unless with busy hand 

In the wide field of fruitful righteousness. 

Absence of mischief must be reinforced 

By active love ; as, when an army halts. 

Though free from pillage, it is not its best, 

Till the brave banner of successful arms 

Has won the war. The goodly positive 

Must wed the harmless negative of wrong, 

That else, in solitude, will only find 

A barren virtue. Let the tender foot. 

That would not tread a worm, provoke a pain, 

Nor bruise a heart that may an angel hold, 

Run with the food and balm ; since lack of harm 

Must grow to blessing, if it lack with Christ, 

Who, not to judge, came to redeem the world. 

Hold then the blow, but pour the balsam in ; 
Nor plant, but pluck the thorny evil up ; 
Nor wound, but heal, and dry the bitter tear. 
Quench not the smoking flax, but blow it bright ; 
Nor break the bruised reed, but bind it strong. 
Scorn not, but help the sable face to rise 



84 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

To honor and advantage ; and the low 

Dust of humanity nor trample, but perchance, 

Skilled in the plastic aptitude of love, 

Mould to a nobler manhood. Haunts of vice 

Not proudly shun, but enter with the light 

To shine the darkness down ; whose lustful crew 

In lordly virtue spurn not, but assist 

Again to bathe in heaven's pure element. 

Nor mock the drunken, but in sorrow cast 

A mantle on the shame, the fallen raise, 

And help to quell the monster to a man. 

Nor bow politely to a suffering need, 

Passing in fellow footsteps of the thieves, 

But neighborly, with nimble love, undo 

The thievish work, with charity of cost. 

So let the living Christ, with sceptered power, 
In majesty still moving through the earth, 
Rule in the temple, and enlarge the work 
In likeness of his measure. Let the shrine 
Be heaped like fruitful Egypt, and, like sweet 
Arabia of the blessed, send afar. 
On wings of incense over threatening seas, 
A savor of salvation to the world. 
And lift aloft the massy dome of light, 
In clouds though buried often, shining still 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 85 

From the full sources of eternal dav, 
And brighter than St. Peter's candled pomp, 
Than all the meteors of philosophy, 
Than all the splendor earthly science sheds, 
To curb the darkness, hold the night at bay. 
Cheer the cold globe with beams of benefit. 
Enlighten new, the smothered lands relume. 
Till all is glory, and the glory pour 
Back to its fountain in the throne of God. 

And over all the vigilant Faithfulness 
Watches with weariless fidelity. 
That more and more the building may arise. 
With stone and pillar, arch and massive tower, 
True to the line and plummet. He who weighed 
The worlds in even balance, swung them off 
In orbits of unvarying ages, each 
Exact to infinite wisdom, and in time 
Wrought the perfection of the holy law, 
In faultless virtue, even to the cross 
Endured in the terrific tax of death, 
He faithfully the holy house of grace 
Builds to the heavenly pattern, stone to stone, 
Pillar to pillar, arch to lofty arch. 
With nothing fragile, weak, combustible, . 
That will not meet the fiery test, and rear 



86 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Its stately grandeur on the farther shore ; 

The human work, in its impurity, 

Purging of dross, till only gold remain, 

And priceless precious stones, fit to contain 

The Spirit of all glory, and adorn 

The rich foundation and the heavenly throne. 

Soul ! as thou art by these fair faithful hands 
Built nobly, with this punctual finish wrought, 
Ripe is thy fruit, thy labor duly done, 
The secret sacred, and the payment sure. 
The faultless model moulds thee, and thy way 
Celestial duty guards, with nothing now 
Too noble for thy aim. Thy tongue will coin 
Only the solid metal of the truth. 
And weigh its words for judgment. Oaks will 

bend. 
The stable seasons alter, planets swerve, 
Sooner than thou in thine integrity. 
By use thy talents shine ; by giving grow 
Thy riches ; stainless is thy stewardship. 
Thy word is as an oath ; thy promise, law; 
Thy honor, royalty. Thy unblanched lips 
Rebuke in blessing, nor the wounds of love 
In cruel kindness spare. Thy trusty care. 
Ready to die, its sleepless watch will keep, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 87 

And hold the richest store with hand as clear 
As the soft lake at evening when it spreads 
Its mirror to the stars. And as they plume 
Angelic pinions by the crystal sea 
For^a far flight of love, so thy fair life 
Will show the beauty and accomplishments 
That waft celestial wings. Thy w^ork will shine 
With nice and careful finish ; interests, 
Not thine, as thine be numbered, and the lone 
Flock of the dead be tended as thy own. 
The entrusted banner boldly wilt thou wave 
In the fierce front of battle ; wilt not shrink 
From danger in the hottest ; wilt invest 
Thy life in victory, and the fiery shrine 
Ascend in glad devotion, as a throne. 
Thus, with this spirit, faithful to the end. 
On that great day of glory wilt thou hear 
The blessed benediction : " Faithful thou 
In few things, over many things bear rule ; 
Enter the joy eternal of thy Lord." 

Meekness divine ! come, thou despised of men, 
But great in heaven, thy grandeur vindicate, 
And beautify the temple with thy grace. 
No other hast thou touched, and rudely forth 
Art driven by eveiy other deity. 



88 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

I welcome thee, with thy soft voice of power, 
The haughty spirit of my pride to quell, 
Quench the hot tongue, the lofty eye subdue. 
And lead me meekly in the steps Divine. 
Oh ! beautiful, yet mighty art thou, more 
Than all the testy arms and enginery 
That carry forts and fields. The massy dome 
Throws up its golden bosom to the storm, 
And meets the fiery lances of the clouds. 
The hail's artillery, the pelting floods. 
The airy cavalry of blustering winds. 
The charging elements, the thunderous war. 
With calm and steady strength, with no reply 
But its majestic silence. So the soul, 
Built in thy spirit, lifted to thy height, 
Above the wrath and revelry of wrong. 
Will take the insolence and burning rage, 
The strokes of hate, the volleys of contempt, 
In majesty of meekness. Christ within 
In measure as of old, it calmly leaves 
Vengeance with God, nor vainly tries to wield 
The weapons of Jehovah ; tries much less 
The slings and arrows of infernal use, 
That wound the user most. The hellish stream 
Back hotter runs than outward, and Revenge, 
Trying to work a Sinai, will be crushed 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. . 89 

Beneath its weight of wrath ; and ever, like 

Enceladus under ^tna, in the fierce 
Contortions of its fury, will but make 
The mountain vomit more. But, like a peak, 
Above^the stormy climate of the clouds. 
And the rough onset of the elements. 
Towering in majesty to the quiet stars, 
Thy meek one, raised in thy nobility. 
Whatever storm may threaten, leans afar 
Upon the placid bosom of the sky, 
Serenely resting in the will of Heaven. 
Ah ! in her highest mood, philosophy, 
Sweeping the ages with ambitious wing. 
Reached never a flight so grand, but sullenly 
Broods in the valley of her discontent, 
Or, in low wonder, from her ruins dank. 
Hoots at this star-winged bird of paradise. 

Not craven, no ; heroic, noble, high 
Above the manhood of the bannered ranks. 
To answer threats with silence, blows with smiles, 
And wrong with benediction. Cowardly 
The mad quick stroke ; craven the biting speech ; 
Mean, as infernal, pay of wrong with wrong. 
Desert of censure answers angrily. 
But innocence is meek. The hasty breath, 



go THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Hot with a rash and sulphurous eloquence, 
Consumes the goodliest arguments, and leaves 
The smoking embers of a righteous cause. 
What ! private wrong usurp the sword, invoke 
The fiery fist for justice, or receive, 
As plumed vicegerent of the infernal King, 
A rod of wrath, commission of revenge. 
And think to hold it with the palm of Christ ? 

Better a crown of thorns in meekness, than 
A ten-fold diadem enriched by wrong ; 
A heart to bear another's injury 
In sweetness, than be bitter with its own ; 
Gethsemane, than Caiaphas' gorgeous halls. 
Where malice in the fumes of envy plots ; 
The righteous victim, than the unrighteous rod ; 
The mockery, than the mocking ; the rough blow, 
Than heart to give it ; wounds, than bloody hands ; 
The cross, than crucifying ; hell itself 
Unjustly, than unjustly to offend. 
To suffer meekly is the heraldry 
Of heaven on earth ; the grandest victory, 
To yield for holy joeace, — the conquered self, 
Not battlemxcnted cities ; and to quell 
The spirit to its law, the hardest war. 
'Tis easy to be human ; godlike, hard : 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 9T 

Easy to bluster, burn, smite, execrate, 

But hard to keep the testy passion home, 

Sheathe the hot sword, and wait the will of God. 

Hard : but with heavenly help I may do all. 

Run in the roughest way of duty, nor 

Find yet a law too strict, a foe too strong. 

That mighty Hand, that holds the angelic hosts 

And starry legions of celestial wing, 

Can wield the dreadful thunder, and the worlds 

It has created with a blow destroy. 

See how it meekly hides itself, and takes 

Unanswered all the challenges of hell, 

Its hour awaiting ! Be that spirit mine. 

Thus, in the meek resemblance of thy Lord, 

The matchless triumph of submissive love, 

Meet, meet, my soul ! the sharpest thrusts of wrong, 

The buffets of untempered injury. 

Till, vindicated in the day of God, 

Thy meekness, in the light, to glory turn. 

Now Temiperance, mistress of prosperity, 
Fresh as the morning, fair as fortune's smile. 
With eyes of crystal, ruddy cheeks, and breath 
Like incense, health like jocund spring. 
Vigor like summer in the glowing fields. 
Fruitful as autumn, pure as winter's robe, 



92 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Like a round year of blessing, soberly 

Builds in the temple, and, with stress of rule, 

Puts passion under bonds. The holy grace 

Is not indulgence, but control of self ; 

In love's dominion makes the appetite. 

Not prince, but subject ; takes the genial cup, 

The curse of millions in its wild abuse, 

And will not drink a weaker brother's blood, 

But pours it a libation to his love, 

Sweeter than wine, or with a needful use 

To blessing turns the curse ; at the full board 

Sits sovereign of the palate, eats to God, 

Not to the bloated Surfeit ; and abroad. 

In every lawful pleasure, only goes 

Where Christ may go, and heavenly favor bless 

The modest mirth, making the recompense 

Of self-denial more than fleshly joy. 

And abstinence the banquet of the soul. 

See how the ravenous serpent, grim Excess, 
Insatiate, with his fearful folds would crush 
The strength and flower of manhood, as of old 
Laocoon and his sons, whose piteous cries 
Rend the sad heavens ! the Dragon of the still, 
Whose worm outvenoms all the snaky broods ; 
In whose fierce fangs a hundred furies lurk, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 93 

Hissing and hot and deadly venomous, 

Ready to sting and damn. See where he springs, 

With yawning hunger, fell ferocity, 

To the thin doors of want and ignorance. 

To gorge his easy victims ! See ! he glides, 

With wily fascination, glozing craft, 

Soft, subtle witchery, to the gilded lips 

Of high festivit}^, and, with luscious drops 

Of dainty taste and fashion, starts a spring, 

Whose trickling, to a torrent growing, sweeps 

The giddy thousands, like the bubbles, on 

In helpless horror to the fatal sea, 

Where all is lost in everlasting wreck. 

And Gluttony is fellow ; not so foul. 
Revengeful, brutal, yet a lusty fiend. 
Smirched with the low and fleshly appetite ; 
With pampered cheek, luxurious air, and eye 
Of wanton glances ; slothful, stolid, stout ; 
Indulging to the gross ; the belly god ; 
Heaven in the senses, and the daily life 
Worth only its capacity to gorge. 
And ape the anaconda and the swine. 

A hundred-fold of health and happiness, 
Strength, fulness and nobility of life, 



94 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

More in the meagre measure, than in much 

Without restraint . Surfeit is wicked loss, 

Like treasure cast to the devouring deep ; 

A ravening maw, when it should freely give 

Its fertile favors to the thirsty shore. 

Plenty is not to drov;n in, nor to float 

The bark of wild adventure, but to yield 

Bounty to suffering need, and largely spread 

The copious wings of blessing. Greedy fool ! 

To turn the carcass into deity ; 

Batten the speedy banquet of the worm ; 

The passions glut ; pamper the gnawing sense, 

Till appetite is master, and an hour 

Of rank indulgence shall the years outweigh 

Of temperate festival, the mortal pool 

Of fleshly pleasure, full of lurking storm, 

Outspan the ocean of celestial joys ! ^ 

Oh ! doth for this the lavish season come 

Laden with bounty of the fruitful year ; 

For this, the base perversion of the good. 

Thy cup to curse, with festering sorrows fill 

Thy little day, and the sweet household shrine 

Turn to the altar of a beastly god ? 

Thrice blest the sturdy abstinence, that holds 
The restless passions to a sober rule ! 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 95 

And blest the temperate home, with happiness 
And rich content ! the social table blest, 
Where Christ is host, and thankful appetite 
Partakes in hunger's frugal luxury. 
For service, not indulgence ! There the flush 
Of health's aurora, which the artist veins 
Paint like the morning; there the cheery smile. 
Throwing its radiance on the darkest day, 
And, like a lily, filling all its sphere 
With fragrance of contentment. Sturdy limbs, 
From slumberous night awaking well-refreshed, 
Spring to their labor; and the evening hour 
Rests in the blessed weariness of work, 
Rejoicing in the harvest. Purely flows 
The vital tide of vigor, ruddy stream 
To run the wheels of life ; while fairy nerves 
Serve not to weave the flesh in fretful snarls. 
But dance and dare, cool in their fervency, 
And marry winter to the summer heat. 
There the sweet fellowship, the solemn joy 
Of high communion, dainties of the soul ; 
The thankful heart, itself a festival ; 
The tendance of angelic servitors, 
And ceaseless ministry of the host Divine. 

Ho ! the broad earth is table, where the world 



96 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

May gather in the full festivity. 

Far spread the fields of plenty, rich in fruit 

And lavish goodness* of celestial care ; 

Enough for all, if only love will serve : 

A paradise despite the wilderness ; 

Roses in thorns, and honey from the rock, 

And bounty from the sea. Lo ! God is here, 

And with him, hand in hand, I may possess 

And use it all, not misuse, as an heir 

In the vast mansion ; freely take the joy, 

The comfort, the advantage, and again. 

With holy temper of a grateful heart. 

In sweet enjoyment, sweeter charity. 

However poor, however rich, the same, 

Lay it in loving tribute at his feet, 

And live the meaning of the gifts of God. 

Now must heroic Courage well defend 
The rising temple in a hostile air,. 
And keep the martial spirit well aflame 
Against the enemies, whose fierce enginery. 
Devised of hell, of insolence compact, 
Wrought of the adverse forces of the wrong. 
Are set to batter at the heavenly towers. 
It takes the stuff of martyrs, many a stone 
Laid in the costly cement of their blood, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 97 

A fine and fearless bravery, to erect 

From direful ruin the new Jerusalem, 

With one hand building, one hand on the sword. 

Then gird thee, soul in peril ! to the strife 
With every foe, that in triumphant rage 
Would o'er thee flaunt his hateful blazonry. 
Burnish the trusty arms ; anoint the shield ; 
Dare, dare in meek defiance. Fhng the bright 
Flag of the heavens afar, unfurled and free. 
Whatever fury threaten. Sleepless watch 
Against the subtle lurking error keep ; 
Nor yield an atom, when an atom, grown. 
May prove a world of evil. Daily wage 
War with the tempting Tyrant, who would fain 
Thy hope, thy honor, and thy manhood crush 
Under the pressure and avenging weight 
Of passion and remorse. The appetite 
Bridle to reason ; curb the rank desire ; 
The free imagination sternly make 
Handmaid of virtue, not a pander vile 
To wanton dalliance, even in thy dreams ; 
And slay the thought, that would the gates unbar 
To take a traitor to the citadel. 
Thyself subdue, even by the sturdy dint 
Of crucifixion, whose courageous art 



98 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Is more than facing cannon. Let the knife 
Cut bravely, and its keen design direct 
Against the part that viUfies the whole. 
Prune Vv'ith the vigorous and enriching los^. 
That gains by losing, till luxuriant life 
From every rank indulgence is redeemed 
To fruitfulness of good. Nor let the sword, 
Tired in its blood, to rusty rest return, 
Till, helped of Heaven, the patient struggle wears, 
In burning light, the everlasting crown ; 
Till high and fair the perfect temple stands. 
With every window, pillar, pinnacle 
Hung with the trophies of victorious grace, 
And flaming banners, written with the names 
Of glorious fields and many a vanquished foe, 
And Christ the glory of the victory. 

Now cheerful Hope, the common servitor. 
Among the builders passing to and fro, 
Where one is weary, overburdened, sad. 
Ready to faint in the oppressive day, 
Like a physician from the starry court 
Comes, with the quickening cordial to revive, 
And give new glow of zeal and enterprise 
To finish to the pattern ; or aloud. 
With sound of trumpet to the drowsy ear, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 99 

Thrilling the temple with her herald peal, 
Inspirits the toilers, fires despondency, 
And cheers the swaying conflict. He who helps 
The builder, also builds ; to win, is crowned. 
Nor will a stone be added, nor an arch 
Lift its fair burden, nor a window gleam, 
Without her kindling presence, and her spoils, 
Out of the fields of future blessing, laid 
In rich abundance at the palace gates. 

Hail then, fair Hope ! Without thee, what 
the cross. 
The weary watchfulness, the long delay. 
The busy care, the tiresome tide of things. 
The earth itself, but cruel mockery. 
And death the usher to an endless doom? 
But thou dost gild the night ; refresh the couch 
Of anguish; in the dismal dungeon sing; 
Sharpen the spurs of action ; tears transmute 
To jewels of rejoicing ; soothe the flame 
In the hot furnace ; from the barren branch 
Pluck clusters ; quell the turbulence of fear ; 
Enfold the future in a fairer form ; 
Deliver from the burning gates, that bar 
For ever from thy sweet society, 
And crown the glory with eternal gain. 



100 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Shine then in heaven, the beaming star, to guide 

The toiler to the richer prize beyond 

The tug of battle, or of grim defeat ; 

Interpret well the promises that stand, 

Like angels on the heavenly battlements, 

To beckon upward to celestial good ; 

And to the heavy heart, in every need, 

Discomfiture, distress, anticipate 

The waiting guerdon of the bliss of God. 

In lowly form of might, Humility, 
Devoutly bending to her task, must now 
Confirm the noble work. Pride first o'erthrew ; 
And only as this puffed, imperious power 
From access to the ruins is debarred. 
Can the new walls arise. He highest builds, 
Who deepest builds. The giddy turret lifts 
Its safety to the petulance of storms 
Only from rooted rock. In lowliness 
The temple must be daily edified ; 
Daily defiled, be daily purged anew; 
Weakened, be daily built of firmer stone, 
In deep repentance laid. And higher still 
It rises, by the lowly labor wrought 
Deeper and deeper in the hidden rock, 
Till crowned above the sky. The character 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. lOI 

Of largest flow, and richest wealth of fruit, 
From the deep fountain and low valley grows 
Of self-forgetfulness. And as the oak, 
On rugged hills, from nether sources nursed; 
Shakes its broad banner at the tempest, strong 
By depth of root among the ribs of earth. 
And the great mountain heart, upon its branch, 
Bears bravely to the skies ; so, firmly set 
On Zion, from Siloa's waters fed. 
The humble root grows up in majesty. 
And as the ruddy hours of morning come 
From the deep bath of midnight, wet with dews, 
To run their race of glory to the noon. 
Filling the land with light ; so nightly go 
Down to the valley, where the contrite tear 
Bedews the lowly step, and bath of God 
Cleanses anew in mercy ; and arise 
More sunlike on the niorrow, higher still 
Ascending daily in the heavenly way, 
Up to the splendors of eternal noon. 

Oh, how it stops the boasting breath, to know 
That every holy thought, imagining. 
Purpose, amendment, victory, is the fruit 
Of that triumphant grace, which works within 
The pleasure of His will ! Humbling to me, 



I02 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

As grandly glorious to his bending throne, 

Thus to my ministry to stoop, and give 

The holy heart, and keep it, where heaven else 

Would neither come, nor stay. And when I look 

On that bright Character of perfectness. 

That blazed awhile on earth, and to the cross 

Brought down the love Divine, and more and 

more. 
In growing radiance, past the dark eclipse, 
Enlightens all the lands ; and when I think 
How oft my life I've promised to conform, 
And virtue fashion, to the heavenly type. 
And failed, still loitering in the shining race 
Far as the twilight from the summer noon ; 
And when I feel the venom in my soul 
Still working fiercely, and the hated sin 
Yet plucking victories, and the holy flag 
Grimed with my treachery, and the heavenly wheels 
Blocked with my stone, my noble purposes 
So often quenched in sloth and cowardice,! 
And the dear Lord dishonored in his due, 
Dishonored in the dole of offering. 
The quality of service, meed of praise, 
So rudely treated, and his easy yoke 
Thought hard, his burden heavy, and his cross 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. I03 

Carried so often with so halt a step, 

His name so poorly borne, so feebly lived, 

The world so strangely loved, — how this will bow 

The soul in ashes, bring the fevered heart 

Within the cool and shadow of the Rock, 

Under the wing of mercy, glad to sit 

Upon the footstool, where the face of God 

Beams in full favor, and his goodness girds 

The humble weakness, and the verv dust 

Is dust of heaven ! higher and nobler thus 

Than proudly in a monarch's seat to reign. 

Yes, royally redeemed ! thy royal sign, 
Brightest above the deepest sacrifice. 
Shines in celestial waiting. Nay, the crown 
Is thine already on the lowliest brow. 
As in the cradle future monarchs sleep, 
-And kingly lustre shows the coming king ; 
Thine, princely child of Jesus ! seen of men, 
Or angels, budding even now, but soon 
To burst in blooming glory, brighter yet 
By thy deep training, starred with lustrous fires, 
In the full splendor of a heavenly throne. 
Where, not in pride, which evermore must die, 
But humble still, even in the seat of Christ, 



104 "^^^ TEMPORE REBUILT. 

And mindful of the distance of thy due, 
Exalted from what baseness to what height, 
Since might angelic must its measure take 
Still from the infinite Glory, and survive 
By power Almighty, shining ever on 
With light and beauty from the spring Divine, 
Thy royal visage with the angels veil, 
And cast the glittering jewels of thy crown 
Before the boundless blaze of Deity. 

O Vision of the invisible, far-eyed Faith ! 
Thy praises last, not praises least I bring ; 
Whose hand conspicuous in the work appears. 
Or not a turret, not a pillar stands. 
Thou, from the realm celestial, dost present 
The perfect pattern, to the heavenly height 
From earth erecting, building more and more 
Into the likeness of the Temple there. 
Thou layest the deep foundations, making bare 
The eternal Rock for the safe edifice. 
And from the quarry rich material 
To all the builders amply dost provide ; 
Dost things unseen see, hear things yet unheard ; 
Unravel mystery, darkness turn to light. 
Interpret like a prophet, more declare 
Than soaring reason in her utmost reach • 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. I05 

Beyond the trodden pathway boldly go 
Upon the sheer authority of Heaven, 
And from the gloomy sorrows richly bring 
Trophies of benediction. Thou dost still 
The rugged footing smooth for weary feet, 
Dry the corroding tear, the heavy cross 
Garnish with garlands, stay the trembling heart, 
Quench the hot passions, quell the rage of wrong, 
The mouth of lions stop, the mouth of hell. 
And on a mighty shoulder, with the strength 
Of God correcting weakness, bear amain 
The mountain and the pressure of the world. 

Now, with thee on the visual summit high 
Standing, I stretch thy telescope of view, 
To sweep the dizzy circle, and behold, 
As on the field of presence, eye to eye, 
In one horizon of their history, 
The buried ages, and the years to come. 
I see the God, in lustrous majesty. 
Without beginning, planning to unfold. 
Within the inclosure of the narrow time. 
The great design and pleasure of his love ; 
Spring of an ocean, evermore to pour 
In fathomless currents of immortal good. 
I see the teeming worlds, at his command, 



I06 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

In shilling order, from the fiery womb, 
Roll forth in blazing rivalry of light, 
His glory to declare in ceaseless chime 
Of power and wisdom and beneficence. 
I see his image, in this earthly sphere, 
The dear experiment of humanity, 
Begun in beauty, blasted in its shame. 
Till in a brighter excellence issuing 
And fashion of his glory. Far and wide, 
The raging surge of misery I see. 
With whirling tempests, deluging the lands ; 
And, high above, the Ark of Rescue, strong 
With promise, and prevailing sacrifice. 
And shining symbol of the gracious God, 
And miracle of help, direction, law. 
Till, in the happy voyage, safe from fear, 
With myriad myriads laden, on the shore 
Eternal moored in glory. More than all, 
The vacant throne I see ; tlie lowly flesh 
Filled with the mystery of the power Divine, 
The earth to roll back to its holy, orb ; 
The stress of toil, the press of poverty," 
The daily wonder of the word and deed. 
The tireless love, the pain, the bitter death, 
The vanquished grave, the flight majestical 
Back to his everlasting empery, 



THE HOLY BUILDERS. 107 

The present Ruler, and the future Judge. 
I see Hhn busy through the cycles since, 
Reaping the fruit, blessing the faithful toil, 
Arming the truth, directing providence, 
Swaying the world and fury of the foe 
To his serene advantage, till the whole 
Earth is his holy kingdom, everywhere 
His throne erected in adoring hearts. 
I see the heavenly mansions, starry seats 
Of glory, radiant with the glow of God, 
Unutterable splendor ; happy hosts 
In bright immortal squadrons, safe from sin, 
Peril of sorrow, doom of infamy. 
Exulting in the enrapturing offices 
Of worship, service, and melodious praise ; 
And, in the midst exalted, in the height 
And full imperial honor of his due. 
The Lamb of God • seraphic multitudes, 
From every wind, in adoration bowed. 
Encompassed with the shining Majesty, 
As blessed islands by the boundless deep. 
While thus, in glad scenes inexpressible. 
From bliss to bliss, the amazing ages roll. 



BOOK V. 

THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 

Empty hands build in vain. The heavenly equipment. Prayer, its need 
and power. Wise reason. Truth ; of man, nature, God. The Bible, above 
all other books ; divine, above all other knowledge. Polished weapons from 
the heavenly armory. Sinai's cloud and thunder ; Zion's sunshine. The 
Cross, the sovereign argument and plea. Effective truth heated in the 
heart. Secret, unselfish charity, a holy art. Influence of character. Noble 
living better than fluent speech. The light of the world. Zealous activity. 

Thus, to the heavenly pattern, heavenly hands 
Form the fair building, and the human skill, 
Under the wise direction of the sky, 
Works with the Almighty. Thus the living walls 
Rise everywhere in beauty, till the world. 
In all its nations, every soul inwrought, 
Stand one vast temple to the praise of God. 

But empty hands build not ; the strongest need 

Still to be filled with arms and enginery. 

The implements of service, few and grand, 

Must be attained, and with celestial art 
io8 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. I09 

Used in this purpose of magnificence. 
And, seeking wisdom in the silent hour, 
Out of the holy Oracles I hear 
This clear direction to the willing soul. 

Without the aid Almighty, all is vain ; 
To use the heavenly throne thy privilege. 
Then let petition, winged with strong desire, 
Fly to the Place of Glory, and return 
Armed with Omnipotence. Thy weakness still 
Gird with his might, who loves with men to dwell, 
Work in their labor, help their helplessness. 
Pray the eternal will ; and he response 
Will give, that never may thy hand amiss 
Toil for the right, nor fail of recompense 
In life's ennobling duties. He may use 
Thee as a pinion of his vast designs, 
A link or pivot of his providence. 
Weapon of victory, implement of peace. 
Thy prayerless toil is idleness ; thy hand. 
Without its blood, will nerveless drop the sword. 
One hour with Christ is more than studious years 
With all the sages ; one celestial breath, 
Invigorating more than earthly gales ; 
One word of Heaven, more answer to the heart 
Than flattering millions ; and one gracious smile, 



no THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

More sunlike than the favor of the world. 

With faith unfaltering, stronger than a troop 

In burnished armor, wrestle with the Lord 

In solitary walls, whose hidden tongue 

Will sometime tell their secrets to the day, 

And wear an open glory. Humbly there 

Thy burden on his ready succor cast, 

Press every sorrow to his gracious ear, 

And to thy life most intimately take 

The holy impress of his fellowship. 

Thy heart be with his love melodious, 

Thy dome of thought a palace to his praise; 

Each tender glance, each tear, each weary sigh, 

A fervent aspiration. He will hear, 

Though, for a time, seem shut lo thy request 

A gate of triple brass. Yea, he will hear. 

Above the heavenly music and the far 

Resounding business of the universe. 

The crude desire, the lisjD of loyalty. 

The sob, the moan, the inarticulate wish, 

And, bounteous more than thought, richer than hope, 

Will to his glory answer. He will give 

From nights of wrestling the victorious day. 

And fill thy banner with a thousand fields, 

Red with thyself and conquest of the world. 

So, with surpassing vigor, linked with God, 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. Ill 



Thy prayer divinely in the work will serve, 
Nor lose itself till lost in endless light 



In understanding must the pillars rest, 
The living walls in wisdom, as of old 
Successful v/orlds roll in intelligence. 
In ample thought there is an ampler mood 
Of work and worship, as the tutored eye. 
With telescopic range, gives vaster skies, 
Redoubling suns. The grand cathedral shows, 
In every window, stately arch and tower, 
The audacity of thinking ; as the heavens, 
The fearless plan of God. Let Reason, thus 
Bold with her signet of celestial birth, 
Marshal the scattered and disordered powers 
In orderly array, in sovereign post 
Commanding, in the dome above the aisles, 
To form the soul in steady regimen. 
Not as a brute, by fettered instinct led. 
Ply the blind notion, but in richer rule, 
Free as a god, set rational force at task. 
To shape the lips, direct the teeming thought, 
Restrain the wanton, brace the faltering will, 
Guide the swift pinions of aspiring hope. 
Quarry the deep instruction, mould the life 
To the high art and form of righteousness, 



ri2 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And prove the work and pattern all divine. 

And ever, for the holy building, seek 
The finest substance and material, 
In mines of earth, or heavenly monuments. 
With muniment of facts well fortify, 
And brace the walls with knowledge. Read thyself, 
And, in that book, the record of the race ; 
Whose various visage in thy mirror see 
Reflected, as in water face to face. 
Search fearlessly, and what discovery finds 
Dare to confess and honor. Sweeping back 
On the broad field of human history. 
Come with the ages laden. Through the heavens 
Peer with imperial vision, till the watch 
Tire with the weight of worlds. Mysterious realms 
Explore with humble wonder ; make the rocks 
Reveal the secrets of the hoary years. 
Question the flower, the forest, mountain, sea. 
Till every natural tongue is eloquent 
In its Creator's praise. The marvelous 
Fingering of Omnipotence observe 
In all the deft accomplishment around; 
And everywhere, enraptured, see the hand. 
And hear the universal voice, of God : 
Whose purpose is the incessant code of things ; 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 1 13 

His thought, creation in its infinite form ; 

His fiat, worlds ; his sovereign presence, law ; 

His favor, being ; his activity, 

The wondrous motions of the elements ; 

His breath, the whirlwind ; his triumphal car, 

The wheeling glories of the universe. 

The natural volume in such splendor spread, 
But more the written Volume of his will. 
And letters of his everlasting love. 
Search with devotion, till the sacred mine 
Enrich thee with its treasures. As the heavens, 
So marveiously more the heavenly Word 
Expresses, magnifies, illustrates Him, 
Whose way of might and careful providence 
Has run along the ages, nor will cease. 
In bounty, judgment, grac-e, till Eden fair 
Arise again, under a brighter sky. 
With a diviner beauty. God himself. 
The fount of truth, the knowledge absolute. 
Above the wonders of his works peruse : 
God, in his ministry and gracious ward, 
His goodness, mercy, judgment, gentle rod, 
And everlasting rule of righteousness : 
His thought, the vast eternity in one ; . 
His heart, unfathomed love ; his character, 



ri4 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Essential glory ; his high government, 
Of peerless good the mould and majesty, 
And of himself imparting, till his like 
Glow in the splendor of immortal lives ; 
His Word, an ocean inexhaustible ; 
His Christ, the sum of wisdom. Mine thy fill, 
Nor fear to spend the golden continent. 
Here is emphatic field ; here certainty 
Beyond crude guessing from a little dust 
Swept from the mysteries ; here the truth direct. 
With ample witness, from the throne of light. 
No learning weighs like this ; intelligence, 
Here quickened, on seraphic wings will fly 
Above the schools, and answer through the years 
Eternal, when the heavens have passed away, 
And earthly wisdom with the earthly time. 

Now take the goodly arms ; the bravest will. 
Without the strong, celestial panoply. 
Miss the bright crown. This w^arfare is no jest 
Of battle mimicry, no fancy fray. 
No holiday of banners. Ready stand. 
In full equipment harnessed, to engage 
The desperate spirits that would overthrow 
The temple in its building, and defeat 
The gracious work. Furbish thy weapon well, 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. II5 

And holy keenness kindle in the blade ; 
Not waste with rust, distempered by disuse. 
As one whose sweaty brow would win the bays, 
Work in the sacred armory. Shafts of proof 
Forge of celestial metal, which may pierce 
The scales of pride, the stubborn hide of wrong, 
The iron mail of infidelity. 

With blows of blessing cleave the worldly chain, 
The links of passion, error's deadly bands, 
Satan's grim fetters, and the gossamer 
Of futile hopes, which, strong as welded steel, 
Bind the duped heart; and set the captive free 
For the bright race of glory. Full against 
Hell's frowning bulwarks, Heaven's artillery 
Turn with the steady blaze of righteousness. 
Nor quench the burning Mountain. God it was, 
Who armed the terror of that awful hour. 
Blew the loud trumpet, spake the fiery law, 
And shook the trembling earth. Not a stone less 
Is needed now in that dread eminence. 
Whence threatening mandate thunders. God to- 
day, 
No less, is fire consuming. Let the Abyss 
Still flame, the dreadful fact no less, to-day, 
.Than when first kindled for the rebel host. 
And set in glow for judgment ; that quick steps, 



Il6 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Aroused, may to the ready refuge flee, 

Where mercy welcomes guilt. For not a word. 

However sharp and hot, but tender love 

May with a melting pity gently use. 

As the cloud lightens while in showers it weeps. 

From Sinai, but from Calvary yet more 
Draw the bright weapons of thy victary ; 
Since, far above the blaze of judgment, burns 
Redeeming love in Jesus. crucified: 
The perfect plea, the sovereign argument, 
The sheath of penalty, the law disarmed, 
The flame to melt, the rainbow on the storm. 
The battle-song, the banner's heraldry. 
The sun for harvest, and the star to guide. 
The sanctuary and the rest of woe. 
The unfathomed- depth of God. Oh ! never spare 
To hold the glory to the human heart. 
Till human hearts all to the glory turn ; 
Till in the crimson wave the wounded bathe 
To health immortal, wash their filthy rags 
To raiment white as snow ; till Christ alone 
To all tlie weary, hungry, suffering, sad, 
Is comfort and repose ; till earth, through all 
Her bounteous isles, her teeming continents, 
Yield universal homage to his hand, 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. ll^ 

And time, with all her voices of delight, 
Attune to heaven her happy minstrelsy. 

Without the sun the icy empire reigns, 
And the cold truth is stark and weaponless ; 
Hardness more hardens, and the dead more die. 
Then, into piercing bolts thy knowledge forge, 
Hot in the fires of feeling. Let the word 
Out of a glowing bosom swiftly fly, 
Winged with the holy fervor, and afar 
Enkindle where it strikes. The lofty thought. 
Cold as an Alp in mental solitude, 
Warm in the sunny breast. The heart anoint 
Professor cardinal of the sacred lore, 
To teach the largest learning, and unfold, 
Better than heartless sages, than the keen 
Convulsions cf parturient intellect. 
The spirit in the letter. In full glow 
Of labor press the living enginery, 
To weave the busy hours, and fabricate 
Immortal patterns in the st}de of heaven. 
Nor be content, in sweltering indolence. 
To cultivate the desert, without rain 
In copious issue from the tender springs'; 
JSTor trust the hope of harvest to the night 
And nether heats of selfish husbandry. 



Il8 THE TEMPLE REBUILT 

Draw from a higher sun ; not satisfied, 

In frigid dignity, thy fervid course 

To bind in wintry fetters, only used 

Like blocks of indurated cold in store 

Against the fervid season. Oh ! why be 

Merely content the icicle to play. 

With chilly finger pointing to the earth. 

In glassy glitter bright, when, with the warm 

Puissant spirit from the tropic clime. 

The stubborn stone may melt, and summer run 

In ruddy splendor through the fruitful year ? 

Why should the tongue be hard, when, like a fire, 

The soft contagion of high fellowship 

Will fuse the lips to holy tenderness ; 

When one warm word outacts the boreal blast, 

One hearty moment, years of frozen form ; 

When but a spark may kindle and inflame 

The immortal coal, till, like a star of God, 

It shall in everlasting lustre burn ? 

Build with thy substance ; let the noble gift 
Lay stone to living stone. More than the lips, 
The hand of bounty, like a generous spring. 
Is outlet to the heart. The sacrifice 
A brighter wreath of testimony wears 
Than all the bays of fluent eloquence ; 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. II9 

Carries a richer freight in tiny rills, 

Than wordy seas ; and, like a solid isle. 

Is fruitful, sunny, habitable, more 

Than all the roaring ocean. Windy lips 

May^ shake another's tree ; love shakes her own. 

The royal blood of saintly charity 

Allies thee to the heavens ; thrills with a joy 

Above the flattered monarch ; has a smile 

Finer than welcomes costly ventures home, 

Deep to the edges with the Orient. 

So let the fruitful harvest, from the heart. 

Pay its glad tribute. Gather still to give ; 

And, with the prize of blessing, stimulate 

To harder toil. Let poverty be rich. 

And riches richer, by the gracious gain 

That multiplies by losing ; as Christ left 

Celestial riches to enrich the world. 

And reaps the everlasting revenue. 

To take is human ; to bestow, divine. 

Be godlike, crave the blessedness of God ; 

And on thy open palm will angels stand. 

To crown thee with the heavenly coronal. 

The art of charity, as of medicine, 
Is wisely to discover the disease, 
And aptly minister. Many have died 



I20 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

By dearth of drug, many by overmuch 

In skilless use. Yet better by excess 

Harm, than by lack of bounty. Like a cloud, 

Freely distil, though oft the copious drops 

Bruise the frail blossoms they would fain refresh. 

Study the gracious art; occasion seek. 

Before it press thee with its beggar breath. 

With facile pity, heap thy bounteous board 

With blessings of the poor : thy luxury, 

To share with all the needy ; thy rich robes. 

The royal purple of the thanks of men. 

The ready hinge of hospitality 

Keep on thy welcome door, and entertain, 

Not angels always, with so sweet a smile. 

It thanks the comer, more than feels the care. 

The generous law in the warm hour enact. 

And keep when thou art cold ; nor smile to win 

Against thyself a niggard victory, 

While the snug dollar sleeps. An open ear 

In lively listening to the shrill wants hold. 

That through the rough boughs of humanity 

Wail, like the winds of winter. As one sweeps. 

After the tuneless touch of ignorance, 

With skillful hand, the organ, and the harsh, 

Unraveled masses of crude melody. 

Pelting the air with discord, weaves anew 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 121 

In music sweet ; so play the human keys, 
And turn the jarring harshness of the world 
To holy song. So let thy charities, 
Like choirs of happy angels with their harps, 
To Heaven on high melodious praises sing, 
From many a lonely hearth of widowhood, 
From sad misfortune, wrestling poverty, 
The needy learning, and the sacrifice 
That only lives by thine. In every cause 
Of good, or in the seed, or in the bloom, 
Invest, and high above the selfish hoard. 
Secure with God, celestial treasure heap. 
How poor the wealth, that only saves to lose, 
Enrich the thief, or feast ingratitude, 
What might be restless in abounding use. 
And fill the ages with its interest ! 
Mites may be millions ; for the little will, 
In heavenly scales, outweigh the easy much. 
And yield a richer revenue, more and more 
In income of eternity, thy God 
Himself the increase and the large reward. 

The manner make as gracious as the gift, 
Nor in the giving spoil it. Many a deed. 
That has the stuff of immortality. 
Fails by distempered method. Art is best, 



122 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

So self, when most concealed. The holy act 

Loves to the heavens the honor to direct, 

And hide behind the hand. The selfish dole, 

Dealing with greedy expectation back. 

Is speculation and a trade of death, 

Not business of immortal interest. 

In a pure purpose cleanse thy charity; 

Not smooch wath pride, ambitiously to carve 

A name upon a crumbling monument. 

Nor give with blatant boast, with brazen blare 

To bruit a famous tumble to the tomb, 

With pompous toss of metal, wondering eyes 

To daze with sheen of liberality ; 

Nor with complacent whisper to thyself: 

But secretly, in simple sight of Heaven, 

Or for example's modest ministry. 

And God will sound the deed, and openly, 

In everlasting opulence, reward. 

So will thy alms, forgotten of the world, 

Be as angelic harps, resounding choirs 

Of hallelujah to His holy name. 

Giver of all, himself the gift supreme. 

Whose bounty only is the ceaseless spring 

Of every blessing in the wilderness. 

Build by example, in such symmetry 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 1 23 

And thorough substance of enduring form, 

That in thy simple presence men may feel 

The majesty of goodness, and from thee 

Draw the fine argument of godliness. 

The holy character cannot be hid. 

But, like the odorous breath of flowers inclosed, 

Even through the crannies will diffuse itself. 

Example is the potency of rules, 

The nerve of truth, the mightiest eloquence. 

Incarnate law in loving character. 

Precept make flesh. Impersonate the right ; 

Thyself the rounded fact of righteousness. 

Grow by the viands thou dost recommend. 

And first the goblet taste. The noble course 

With keen steps measure to the shining goal. 

Nor point the finger, and not win the crown. 

Whatever, true in word, thy act denies. 

Is branded false, and to thee only true 

As uttered truthfully in daily deeds. 

Thou canst not mount the starry eminence. 

If to thy thought thy foot be infidel. 

The tongue may marshal all the glorious truths, 

And sound the trumpet of imperial speech. 

Yet, if by troops of action unsustained. 

Like a lone leader left of all his train. 

Will come a conquered king. The silent act 



124 THE HOLY BUILDERS. 

Is mightier than the actless eloquence, 
That thunders and bedeafens with- its rage ; 
As the still Morning, from the orient hills, 
Sandaled with sunshine, spangled with the dew, 
Comes stronger than a tempest, and afar 
Sheds her soft potency of flower and fruit. 

And bravely, to the forces of the night. 
Let every window turn its blazing ray, 
And more and more, with still increasing gleam. 
Enwrap the rising temple : whose fair sheen 
Beyond the nimblest voice its blazon throws. 
As the quick flash outstrips the sluggish sound, 
Whose waves come loitering, and so often wreck 
Their airy burden on the stubborn ear. 
And, as the moon her nightly urn refills 
Out of the solar fountain, and afar. 
In queenly sovereignty, on land and sea. 
Her silvery blessing sheds ; so, from thy Sun 
Daily replenished, pour the lustrous grace 
In brilliancy of life. With arrowy beams 
Invade the darkness, and with brightness storm 
The murky ramparts of the rebel night. 
Put on the radiant armor ; be enrobed 
Like the bright angel vestured with the sun. 
Why, with the craven bushel, hide the flame 



THE SACRED IMPLEMENTS. 1 25 

That all around should shed its brilliant beam? 

Only a taper ? Yet a taper may 

From a pane glimmer on the midnight sea, 

And to the haven cheer the struggling oar. 

What though some brighter beacon, on the height, 

With flaming forehead gild a continent ? 

Yet mark with shining steps the humbler way ; 

And, as angelic feet instar the sky, 

Drop the bright sparks along the wilderness. 

Go, study w^ell, on the Judean hills, 

The gracious glow Divine, whose sinless ray 

In splendor unextinguishable shines. 

The lustre copy, and with radiant feet 

Pursue the pathway, where the very dust 

Is dust of diamonds, where the angels walk, 

And Jesus burns before. Show in thyself. 

In fulgent characters of righteousness. 

The operative grace, with every act 

A beam of benediction,^ in restraint, 

Honesty, virtue, patience, godliness, 

The warmth of worship, and the spirit prompt 

To lowly succor, apt to every form 

Of active and of suffering holiness. 

Then will thy stroke be victory, and thy word 

An energy of blessing, and thy life. 

In all the illumination of its love, 



126 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

A power of heaven, a presence of the Lord. 

Thus well-equipped, and potently prepared 
With this fine form of heavenly implements, 
Let them not rest, but with endeavor grand 
Use in the daily building. He is best, 
Who best employs his talent to its end ; 
He worst who, with the noblest furnishing. 
Sits idlest. Let the sap to blossom spring, 
The seed to harvest, sword to victory. 
To serve, to save, is glory. Fill the day 
With feats of willing work, the steady stir 
Of consecration fruiting into fact. 
Let nothing loiter, nothing rest too soon, 
Before the ruddy west unyoke the hours ; 
Nor cumber in the courtly idleness,. 
Boasting its barren boughs. But heed the strong 
Impulsions of the gracious energy, 
That through the brimming currents of the soul, 
Like the deep pulse upon the ocean verge, 
Beats in the bosom. Feel the martial thrill 
Of love impelling to her victories. 
Watch, watch as for a thief, with burning lamp, 
And ear intent to hear the coming Lord ; 
Ready thyself, though all the world asleep. 
Work while the day is high, and mortal night 



THE SACRED IMPJ.EMENTS. 1 27 

Holds back the fetters of her impotence. 
Work, with the heavenly help, as though the pil6 
And finish of the human blessing stood 
UpDn thy faithful word, thy single hand. 
With ceaseless labor is the harvest won, 
With steady stroke the battle, peace with blood, 
With tireless toil the kingdom and the crown. 
The universe will be thy theatre, 
Angelic hosts thy cheering witnesses, 
And God himself spectator and reward. 



BOOK VI. 
THE SANCTUARY, 



A prayer for direction in holy labor. The field everywhere. Home first, 
but not merely. The needy regions beyond. Neighborly help. Battle 
with ignorance and vice. General intelligence promoted. Impartial justice 
and honesty. Power of the indwelling Christ. His Kingdom chiefly to be 
advanced. Its blessing the blessing of the world. The earth divinely 
administered in its interests. Service here, the most effective service. En- 
large, strengthen, beautify for the King in his glory. 



O Wisdom infinite ! my ready hand 
Direct, my preparation guide and bless, 
In work to-day. My ignorance instruct ; 
My feebleness empower ; my courage arm. 
Wliich my appointed field ? My duty where ? 
If limit, show the bound I may not pass ; 
Show me the line I ought to overtake. 
What battles enter, and what harvests press 
To yield their golden fruitage to thy praise. 

And thus the answer of the Oracles 
Clearly, to my unwilling ignorance, 
128 



THE SANCTUARY. 1 29 

Opens its light : Co-worker with the King I 
If thou his servant and his warrior true, 
Thy limits only are the utmost bounds, 
Thy l^attle every wrong, thy field of fruit, 
Wherever can thy word or treasure reach, 
Or strong petition by the listening throne. 
No soul so distant, ruin so complete. 
Not to be numbered for thy ministry ; 
Too barren for thy toil to benefit. 
Too hapless for thy helpful sympathy. 
Too lost for thy quick faithfulness to find. 
Go, with full heart, with courage undismayed, 
And be a part in every enterprise 
Of human weal, of heavenly heraldry. 
And press the purpose to the farthest isle. 

At thy own hearth begin; the nearest need 
Guide the first blessing. In the tenderest 
Domain of love labor with earliest care ; 
And, as the leaven the closest particles 
First to its subtle influence subdues, 
So first amend thy bosom's intimates. 
The fireside current make a gentle stream, 
Smooth from the wrinkles cf impetuous flow, 
Without an eddy, sweeping calmly on 
To the vast sea eternal ; and thy house 



130 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

A bark of mercy, freighted for the skies 
With the ripe sheaves immortal. Every door 
And window open to the gracious wind, 
From hills celestial blowing, that the sweet 
Breath of the heavens may every chamber fill, 
And every bosom bless. The tender flowers, 
From thy own garden gathered in the dew. 
Bind in a chaplet of unfading bloom. 
The pliant lives, that in the social sphere 
Sport and commingle, mould to virtuous shapes 
And images of glory. Let the prayer. 
Example, precept, richly all receive 
Renewal by the promise, and become 
Incarnate in a family of Christ. 
Breathe softly, as the wafting of sweet wings 
Of angels in the air. Let courtesy 
Sit queen, and cruel harshness never wound 
The sensitive ear, and discord shuddering flee. 
As flee the furies from the gates of bliss. 
Be patient, patient ; and the hasty word 
Which, loose, will raven like the evening wolf, 
Hold in the bars of safety. Bear the cross 
Fibre of things, the thousand vexing cares, 
With such a sweet, ennobling fortitude, 
Such gentle bravery, that the heart will find 
In the still fold a fairer victor}- 



THE SANCTUARY. 131 

Than in the stormy field, and home itself 
Win to rejoicing peace. The potent smile 
With charming mastery wield ; the ver}^ rod 
Wet with thy tears, and smite with tenderness. 
The daily shrine with cheerful offerings heap, 
And light the sacred fire, all to consmne, 
A holocaust of love, upon whose flame 
Blessings divine descend. So will thy house 
Glow, like a mansion on the hills of light, 
With a celestial sunshine, and the wings 
Of angels love to stoop and linger long, 
Their heart and flight to freshen, and forget 
It is the earth, and not their native heaven. 

Remain not, folded in thy pleasant joys, 
Within the narrow circle of thy walls. 
Content if thine are blessed. Cold is thy fire. 
If on thy hearth-stone only ; and thy bread 
Bitter, which feeds alone thy selfish blood ; 
Thy house a prison, if it hold thy world. 
Thy heaven a fiction. Let the angels in ; 
Forth let the angels for a noble flight. 
Close windows stifle, and the saintliest breath 
Fouls the pent air. Along the hedges walk. 
And press the needy thresholds of the poor. 
To share with others sweetens all the rest. 



T32 THE TEMPLE " REBUILT. 

The open flower receives the richest dew. 
The musk and odor of thy influence . 
Thou canst not prison ; still wilt be a part, 
Where'er thy lot, and must the ambient sphere 
Pervade, inevitable as the air, — 
Contamination, or a breath of heaven 
The heavenly savor is a saving balm, 
And lips of love s\veeten the elements. 
Freely inspire at home ; freely abroad 
Breatlie, and the holy strength invigorate 
By nimble exercise of charity. 

Hark ! howls the tempest, full of wrath the sky 
Threatens its fury on the passenger. 
But what thy comfort to a blessing given ? 
The battle rages ; enter valiantly. 
Inaction is the action of the wrong, 
And silence criminal encouragement. 
On, with the crimson banner. Like a sun, 
Love melt the frost of thy timidity. 
Wide throw the holy challenge. Nothing spare. 
That makes the heavens its aim of blasphemy. 
Or man its cruel mark. Go, gallantly 
Tread the rough paths of ruin, and the curse 
Correct with blessing. To the weak be staff, 
A sun to tears, a spring to thirsty lips, 



THE SANCTUARY. I33 

Morning to darkness, bands to broken hopes, 
A guide to error, and a rod to wrong ; 
Thy name remembered in the widow's prayer, 
And lisped by needy firesides ; more a praise 
Than feats of proud ambition. It may be 
Thou canst hear httle, little see ; but know. 
The fearful ocean, even from thy feet, 
Around the planet rages, and afar 
Rolls the deep sorrow. And the living sea 
On many a secret shore dashes and moans. 
Beyond the eye, beyond the ear, but not 
Beyond the generous reach of sympathy. 

Sprung from the grisly loins of darkness, vice 
Prowls in the night, the unwary wanderer 
All ready to devour ; but sneaks and flees. 
Like a wolf, timid at the dawn of day : 
While virtue revels in the copious light. 
A hallowed knowledge was the potent means 
By which so well the fathers toiled and built. 
By which as wisely will their children build. 
But ignorance is of every lust the prey, 
Ambition's tool, the ready instrument 
Of purposes infernal. It invites 
The tread of wrong, the fetters of deceit, 
The yoke of superstition, hell itself 



134 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

To smite with blast of endless infamy. 

Assail it, then, this vampire of the soul, 

This dusky mother of a beastly brood. 

With weapons of the light, and pierce the thick 

Scales of this ravening dragon of the dark, 

The school of knowledge, like a fortress, plant 

Under the sacred shadow of the spire ; 

Strengthened with science, beautified with art, 

Manned with great reason, Argus-eyed and clear. 

To peer into the myriad mysteries. 

The method of the world, the marvelous soul. 

The providence of history, God himself, 

The boundless deep of truth. This, by the free 

Eradication of conceits, prepare 

The spirit for the mellow hand of Heaven, 

And healing light ; as, when the forests fall, 

The savage lairs, and pools of pestilence. 

Are open to the searching of the sun. 

And harvests of delight. The murky gates. 

Ready to pour pestiferous volumes forth. 

Flank with the virtuous pen. The mighty press 

With threatening thunder arm against the wrong, 

With cheering detonation for the right, 

And fearless shafts of justice, every line 

A massive missile in its righteousness. 

The many to the glorious hope inflame, 



THE SANCTUARY. 135 

Equipped with knowledge, wisely disciplined, 

And every fleeting folly under foot, 

To win the triumph of a noble life 

0£ service and renown. The youthful ranks 

Train to the manhood of the martial days, 

When skilful strokes, and cultured courage, gain 

The foremost garlands of the victory. 

And let the white plume of the hoary head 

Flame in the van of gallant leadership. 

All realms of learning, and all orbs of light, 

To conquer for the service of the King. 

But light is darkness, if integrity 
Hold not the measure with an honest hand. 
And knowledge prove not, in its place of power, 
A righteous judge. As on the final day^ 
So far as final fits the moving hour, 
Let Justice, with the even balance, weigh 
To all the impartial due ; whose holy court 
Should ever be, as heaven's high vestibule,. 
Bannered with mercy, while it wields the sword. 
With noble equity thy lips adorn. 
The foe to justify, or thyself condemn; 
Readier to wrong thy right, than right thy wrong. 
To others give the custom of thy claim. 
And, as thou weighest thyself, thy neighbor weigh. 



136 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With prompt and sterling payment doubly make 

Debt into credit ; to the conscience pay, 

And use the stringent text of honesty. 

Nor steal by overliving ; nor defraud 

By plunder of keen bargains; anxiously 

Swelling thy house with legal robberies. 

Nor live to glitter, pompous for an hour, 

With gilding from the back of poverty. 

But with a sturdy cutting prune expense 

For charitable uses ; modesty. 

Not luxury with her rapacious train, 

Throne in the thrifty kingdom. Then wilt thou 

Never be basely temped to abuse 

Thy honest promise to dishonesty. 

Oh, how the Christ thy loving hand will fill 
With such a potent sceptre as no king 
Ever extended from his royal throne ; 
With an imperial sway of benefit 
Reaching the common need, the common life 
Out of its hard and harsh necessities 
Lifting to heart and fortune ! The energies 
Are to new vigor quickened, spirits tamed. 
Stones softened, fallow acres more in fruit. 
Purer the air, the roses sweeter, thorns 
Less sharp and cunning in the tutored soil. 



THE SANCTUARY. 137 

The poverty less poor, riches more kind, 
Industry more rewarded to its worth, 
Progress a passion, love a law enforced : 
Thyself an illustration, and a power, 
Everything touching, and with every touch 
A grace of blessing ; till the present life 
Share in the promise with the life to come, 
And earth reflect the gleam of paradise. 

Thy neighboring circle love, however dead, 
And all the contact of humanity. 
But, with a warmer glow, the living Church, 
The embodied Lord, like the cherubic ark 
Cloistered in incense. With peculiar flame 
Burn toward Jerusalem, whose sprinkled gates 
Invite the nations to her guard; and build 
Her sacred towers with special sacrifice. 
A hundred harvests may be reaped in one ; 
In single fields, a hundred victories : 
So in one blessing thousands may be blessed, 
And in one kingdom all the world be won^ 
Thy best gifts to the Holy City give. 
Thy richest wisdom, most devoted toil, 
Most tender orisons. Her blessing make - 
Thy warmest wish, her interests lift above 
Thy highest patriotism, and her name 



138 THE TEMPLE REBUILT, 

Engrave for ever on thy hand and heart : 
Whose heavenly grace, above all earthly good, 
The needy nations blesses, as the bright 
Orb of the day, more than the firmament 
Bespangled nightly with its shimmering fires, 
Is harvest, beauty, power. The glorious Church ! 
Field of the richest fruit, the noblest sphere 
Of thought and action, end of Providence, 
And goal of all this mighty race of years. 

For why, another moment, should the earth, 
Teeming with sin, her perilous orbit wheel 
Through the hot flashes of the flaming throne ? 
Roll on in whirlwind, swept with furious blasts 
And desolating passions ? her fair fields 
To winter turn, her flowers to fell decay. 
Her happy notes to requiem ? Longer why, 
On all her shores, in carnival of death. 
Should nations dance to devils, and the tread 
Of human woe its bitter vintage crush 
In the full press of sorrow ? Why should war, 
In fierce carousal, at ambition's nod, 
Riot again in ravage, thrust his cup 
Of blood and tears to millions, trample down 
The springing verdure of a thousand hopes, 
Like a tornado plow the peaceful lands, 



THE SANCTUXRY. I39 

And sow the earth with rash and vengeful seed 

Of hell in harvest ? Why should yet a soul, 

Of mortal mould, by struggling throes be launched 

Into the tempests of the tempting world, 

Pursued by furies, only to be lost, 

It may be, wrecked in ruthless billows, caught 

In the fierce whirlwinds of eternal storm ? 

Why, why ? Because, above the din is heard 

The music of redemption ; through the skies. 

Above the lightning, gleams the light of love ; 

Hope gives a harp to sorrow ; every wrong 

Will bend its murky banner to His praise. 

Whose mighty hand, upon the helm of things. 

Steers to the good supreme. It is enough. 

Lo ! the embowering Eden springs again ; 

And the celestial kingdom, like the stone 

Cut from the mountain without human hands, 

Shall yet, a mount of glory, fill the earth. 

It is enough. Let every fearful thought 

Be swallowed in the amazing benison 

Of promise, brooding o'er the struggling lands. 

To serve this Kingdom well will best resolve 
The riddles of the race ; best educate. 
Repress corruption, help aspiring hope,' 
Ennoble honor, purify the marts, 



140 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Embellish art, the barren fertilize, 

Compact the State in virtue, legislate 

For the imperial justice, fill the bounds 

With prosperous peace and order, and adorn 

The fair escutcheon with undimmed renown. 

Here is the best celestial bounty yields, 

The best of promise, and the best estate ; 

The sweetest viands, gold of finer mould. 

Hearts in a dearer fellowship, the hand 

Ampler in shapes of willing sacrifice. 

The talents brighter, speech of richer tone, 

The spirit nobler in its furnishing. 

Braver in battle, grander in defeat, 

Humbler in triumph, nearer to the crown. 

Thrice, thrice for man is every stroke for Christ. 

His temple, rising, elevates the race ; . 

His kingdom served is every nation blessed ; 

His cause advanced advances all the world : 

As, in the monster buildings which they move, 

The strong foundation takes the height along. 

This temple, then, this heavenly palace fair, 
Engage thy teeming interest more and more. 
Thy love enlist in warmer sacrifice. 
Brighten the light, with every grace adorn, 
Thy very presence ornament and power, 



THE SANCTUARY. 1 41 

Thy life a living lustre ; that, by thee 

Enriched and quickened, it may shine the more, 

Not for thy blessing merely, but afar 

The dark and dreary lands to illumine, till 

Earth in the splendor roll. Nor self alone. 

But meekly seek to enlighten and enlarge 

Each fellow part. The struggling brother cheer. 

Blow in his smouldering embers, lift his cross. 

And nurse the hopeful promise to its fruit. 

Arms for the weak, a bosom for the cold. 

Give, like the shepherd. And the trembling hope, 

Whose balance to despair a mote may turn. 

The smoking flax, a heedless breath may quench. 

The bruised reed, a hasty blow may break. 

Help gently, with a soft and tender touch. 

Till faltering faith with fervor grasp the Throne. 

Nor yet, in weak conipliance, shameful fear. 

Withhold in need the keen severity. 

The timid press, the indolent arouse. 

The bold encourage, and the rash restrain ; 

That all the holy forces may, as one. 

Meet the infernal legions, and compact 

Stand to the steady task of victory. 

Augment the present with devoted glow 
Of new immortals, won with fervid pains, 



142 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Made captive in thy martial godliness, 
And bound from Satan to the car of Christ. 
Nor rest content, while in the wrathful ranks, 
Unblest, accursed, one victim still remains. 
More is a soul redeemed than empires won ; 
A soul in bondage, worse than realms enslaved. 
Then win them, win them with the might of love, 
The timely thunder, tender eloquence, 
The ecstasy of hope, the tug of fear, 
And all the moving arguments of Christ, 
Out of the palace, hovel, dismal den. 
Wherever sin has victims, to escape, 
While wide the gates of safety open stand. 
And mercy beckons, and the way is free : 
Escape, and in the refuge of God's house, 
In peace and rest and saintly fellowship. 
And all the sovereign comforts of the heart, 
A home and table find, where the great King • 
Sits with his children, and the feasts of earth 
Are paltry to the pleasures of that hour : 
That hour, the earnest of celestial days 
Of joy and triumph, when the glorious Bride, 
In perfect beauty robed, and peerless grace. 
Shall with the Bridegroom reign, and evermore 
In heavenly courts hold happy festival. 



BOOK VII. 
THE COURT OF THE NATION. 



Prayer for native land. Her providential preparation. The Pilgrim 
Fathers ; guided and defended of Heaven. The revolutionary days. Mar- 
velous growth and prosperity. Slavery, its bitter fruits. The war of the 
rebellion. Judgment and mercy. The noble loyalty and sacrifice. Brave 
devotion of the misguided South. The Divine Hand everywhere manifest. 
Providential acts and men. Glorious issue of liberty. The wounds to be 
tenderly healed. The arts of peace. The greatness of the country calls 
for great souls, broad plans, generous laws. Discipline men for worthy self- 
government. Intelligence, to be safe, must be religious. The Bible ban- 
ished invites destruction. A healthy literature. Wealth wisely used. The 
home missionary. The Sabbath. Virtue in high places. The righteous 
ballot. Political corruption. Glorious destiny of the virtuous natron. 



O Thou, who didst with gracious wing defend 
Thy chosen people, in the times of old, 
And plant them in the glorious land, fit home 
Of hill and valley, flowing with the rich 
Gifts of thy goodness, bulwarked with the wall 
Of burning desert, mountain, and the sea, 
Secure and separate for a race sublime, 
A handful, yet the leaven of the world ; 
143 



144 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And, afterward, didst girdle with thy waves 
The island mistress of the watery realms, 
England, the glory of a thousand years, 
Mother of nations, womb of mighty men, 
, Nurse of industrious arts and valiant arms, 
Refuge of persecuted liberty. 
With potent sceptre reaching round the globe, 
And half enriching with her tongue and laws ; 
God of the nations ! who dost still direct 
In sovereign empire the affairs of men. 
And art preparing in the virgin West 
A Cyrus of the peoples, to rebuild 
With larger hand the temple of thy grace. 
Not for our pride, but for thy worthy praise, 
Help me, with humble, patriotic glow, 
Amid the rising glories which I see. 
To sing the wonders of thy providence. 
And breathe a blessing on my native land. 

My country ! O'er her marvelous domain 
Of mountain, river, valley, with the best 
Of nature gathered from a hundred climes, 
God sent the mightiest angels to prepare 
A habitation worthy of the prime 
And paragon of nations, and the last 
Experiment of time. The ages bend 



THE COURT OF THE^ NATION. 1 45 

Hither their eager steps, and hither bring 

The richest ark of human hopes, the seed 

Most fruitful with a boundless revenue, 

The blood most potent in the generous flow 

Of freedom, courage, dauntless energy. 

In this new land, and on the verge of years, 

The past will sum its wisdom, and the soul, 

With an unfettered liberty, afresh 

Try her exploring pinions, and the race 

Its massy possibilities unfold, 

Thrilled to its very feet, the lowest raised 

Like sceptred kings to rule. Hidden it lay 

Long in the womb of night, unknown and still, 

Nursing its grandeur in the solitude, 

Till God was ready, and the nations ripe. 

To bring *^ Time's noblest offspring" to the birth. 

The cradle was of Heaven, and royally 
Rocked with the sons of God. That little band 
Heroic, of the choicest elements 
That ever mingled in the sturdy grace 
Of saint or martyr, God prepared, and wrought 
To that majestic mould ; from land to land 
Battered and shaped to the sublime design;. 
Across the wintry waters led their way, 
As surely as the migratory wings 



146 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Without a compass sail, to the rough arms 

And rugged virtues of a shore, whose wilds 

And savage wigwarris had dispeopled been 

By his precursive scourge ; their heart sustained 

Through the rude season of the wintry dread, 

The deathly havoc, and the bitter cost 

To launch their fragile hope ; inspirited 

Their trembling courage gloriously to lift, 

Above the storm, their faith and confidence 

High as the Throne ; and taught them how to build, 

On broad foundations of intelligence, 

On adamant of law and liberty. 

On the old granite of eternal truth, 

A commonwealth for Christ. With sleepless watch 

He kept them, with angelic sentinels, 

And not a footfall but was heard in heaven ; 

Spread over them his shield ; the savage heart 

Tuned to their friendship ; turned the hostile aim ; 

Armed the fleet elements, on mighty wings 

Mustering the ready tempest to the spoil 

And watery havoc of the sailing war ; 

Nursed, as an eagle fledged within the storm, 

Their early feathers to the strength of years, 

And through the thunder bore them to the day; 

Hearing the hearts which, in a cloud of prayer. 

Through all those years of faith and pilgrimage, 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 1 47 

Rose in rich incense to his holy throne. 

And when the days of bloody peril came, 
And the hot wheels of revolution rolled 
With smoking axle o'er the trembling land, 
Bearing the matchless form of Liberty, 
The same Almighty Providence controlled 
The way of war, and rode the elements ; 
Nerved the young nation to the sacrifice ; 
Prepared a sturdy soldiery, that caught 
The father's fervor and the mother's faith, 
In homes that gladly suffered in their loss ; 
Upheld their waning hope, their feebleness 
Encouraged through the naked, friendless night, 
And tore the darkness from the rising day ; 
Brought sunshine from the stormy discontent,. 
And turned the direful current of defeat 
To glorious victory ; a Leader gave. 
Matchless in wisdom, matchless in the skill 
And triumph of delay, matchless to win 
With his transcendent virtues such a meed 
Of admiration, love and confidence, 
His will was armies, and his wishes law ; 
His favor more an argument of right 
Than reason in a hundred weighty tongues ; 
His presence more assurance of success 



148 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Than the grim legions of embattled war; 
His counsel, statute for the coming time ; 
Crowned with a grace of native majesty 
Too high for any royal toy to tempt ; 
Marvel of rulers, and the foremost form 
Of patriotic grandeur. Nor the less. 
He who the first, the lesser orbs ordained 
To bless our heavens : the Martyr of the Hill, 
So soon to seal his passion with his blood ; 
The Champion of the rights, of fearless lips 
And bribeless poverty ; the Orator, 
Kindling the people with his tongue of flame ; 
The Master of finance, too early dead 
At the fierce hands of envious rivalry ; 
The Hero of debate, whose arguments. 
Like fearful cannon, battered at the wrong; 
The Statesman, fit to wield the mighty pen 
Of independence ; the strong-witted Sage, 
As lightning from the clouds, to draw the fire 
From the impending peril, and enchant 
A nation to embattled help, whose grace. 
And princely blood, and valor all combined 
To crown her friendship with her La Fayette. 
He set those seats of council, where supreme 
In delegated sway the people sat, 
With richer stuff enriching all the past ; 



TH^ COURT OF TH^ NATION. 1 49 

Inspired to build, upon the solid ground 

Eternal, such an edifice of rule, 

A government so gracious, free, humane. 

So full of fair advantage, all the world 

To such a shrine in pilgrimage will come, 

To instruct their principles, refresh their hopes, 

Quicken the pulses of their rising life. 

And all their law and liberty enlarge. 

And when the stormy elements of strife 
Were buried, and the land was still again, 
Hov/ tenderly He nursed our needy peace ; 
Disarmed the tempest ; clothed our largest hope 
With larger blessing ; bound prosperity 
To ceaseless service ; freighted with the world 
Our nimble sails upon a hundred seas ; 
From rock-ribbed cabinets of wealth unlocked 
Amazing treasures ; in the fertile fields 
Surpassing harvests lavished; and the blood 
Of many lands led hither, to combine. 
As rills the river, a mightier tide of men ! 
And, for the mustering millions, wider grew 
The land by friendly purchase, till across 
The continent it stretched its ample arms. 
And bathed in both the jDceans. Nor awoTce 
The martial thunder in our peaceful sky, 



150 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Above the rattling on the savage edge 
In ceaseless turmoil of inglorious strife, 
Save v.hen two clouds of battle hurtled past, 
Steered by the Almighty, pregnant with new power ; 
The one, which gave us with the watery Queen 
Naval dominion, while the other rained 
The teeming riches of the land of gold. 

But soon the world's dark history renewed 
Its lesson in our light, how easily 
The prosperous years decay. And our fair tree, 
In its rank growth, engendered bitterness, 
And needed the encounter of the storm 
To shake its vicious fruit. For, puffed with pride, 
Ambition, greed, the insolence of power, 
We held the brother with unrighteous bands ; 
Put in a partial court injustice vile ; 
To legal dignity exalted wrong ; 
Our free flag stained with taint of tyranny ; 
Smote the protester, raged insultingly 
Against the meekest murmur of dissent ; 
Twisted the truth divine ; our wisdom drew 
From oracles of folly, and more feared 
. Hell's indignation than the wrath of Heaven : 
Expecting, in perversion of the rule 
Of righteousness and promise of the sky. 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 151 

Harvests of peace from fruitful seeds of war, 

From dragons' teeth a blessing, smiles of love- 

From stinging scourges, glory to the hand 

Adrip with servile blood. Then, from the clouds 

Pregnant with judgment and avenging storm. 

The fateful fountain of a purer age. 

In the ripe hour of dread deliverance. 

Bursts the tornado. For upon his throne 

God heard the groaning, heard the pleading wounds, 

The pangs of sundered homes, the suppliant woe. 

Stored in his bosom, till iniquity 

Had filled her cup ; then blessed the patient hope. 

Let madness have its way, the land to cleanse 

With fearful washing in the flood of war ; 

Till ceased the great oppression, and the right. 

No longer grinding in the mills of wrong. 

Rose in new honor to her sovereign seat. 

When pride unblushing, flaunting insolence, 
Against the sky contemptuous banners turns, 
Insulted mercy must to frowns unfold, 
And covered justice show her naked edge. 
For better thousands than a nation die ; 
Millions, than fall the throne of righteousness; 
Or'freedom perish, or the truth be bound. 
'Tis love in battle, when the battle must 



152 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Defend the altar, vindicate the right. 

Hell was determined, Heaven determined too. 

Which will be victor ? All this power of wrong, 

Petted and nursed and bannered, must be spoiled. 

Law purified, the foul reproach removed. 

Unclasped the rugged clutch of tyranny, 

And the great nation girded for the race, 

In nol)ler mood, in ampler liberty. 

To win the foremost garland of the world. 

But judgment lingers, loath to execute ; 
Long lingers, .in a loving patience held. 
Till it must be, and then the Throne itself 
Arms for the struggle. Up the people spring, 
Filled with a zeal whose hot combustion makes, 
Like water-drops for mighty enginery. 
Feebleness force. As when an earthquake heaves 
The bosom of the sea, whose lifted wave 
With beetling brow rages beyond its bound, 
Whelms the fair cities, and a direful track 
Of havoc leaves along the continent ; 
So pours the northern flood, a living tide 
Of conquering valor, southward to the Gulf. 
Thousands on tens of thousands, eagerly, 
Into the deadly vortex of the strife 
Leap, in their patriotic panoply, 



THE COURT OF TH£ NATION. 1 53 

To mix their blood with old heroic streams, 

And save anew in freedom's martyrdom. 

From hill to hill unwavering loyalty 

Waves the old banner, and the utmost heart 

Thrills withi the sterling blood. Sea shouts to sea, 

And mount to mountain, till the reeling land 

Rings with the martial uproar, as the heavens, 

\A'hen all the electric forces of the clouds 

Are busy with their thunders. And the Church, 

The holy herald of the Prince of Peace, 

In every righteous struggle rightly first, 

Potent in prayer, matchless in sympathy. 

Of wise and valiant lips, whose eloquence 

Outpeers the forceful implements of war. 

In foremost fervency divinely moved. 

Awakes to her high duty, feels the hour, 

Stands to her privilege to lead the van. 

Direct the issue, sanctify the blood. 

And bind the flowing wounds. Nor in the field 

Alone, and stormy forum of debate, 

And desk of sacred potence, and the brain 

Of manly pith and counsel, are the seeds 

Of victory sown and gathered ; but in spheres 

Of womanly renown, w^here busy hearts 

With nimble fingers toil ; by weary beds. 

Smoothed with the gentle touch ; in closet walls, 



154 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Where wrestles sleepless faith ; in quiet homes, 

Reft of their noblest in the sacrifice, 

Which bravely weep in widowed loneliness. 

Or pride maternal, to have borne a gift 

Fit for her country's altar. And the stream 

Of valorous blood, to fertilize afresh 

The sunny fields of matchless liberty, 

Is swift and ample, as the Jordan flood. 

Full of fertility's rich harbingers. 

Through leagues of radiant landscape rushes on 

Down to the Sea of Death. The noble act 

Is learned in rapid lessons ; while, amidst 

The struggling right, the blatant sympathy 

With wrong sounds, in the patriot element. 

Like discord loose in heaven. The mighty bond 

The fathers wove grows stronger every hour; 

While pale disunion mutters to the night. 

And quails before the storm. Oh ! it was great, 

To be a part as small as infancy 

In the majestic movements of the time. 

To feel the fervid thrill, to catch the mood, 

To add a breath, or put a finger to, 

Or pay one ruddy drop, or golden mite. 

Or sigh of prayer, or jot of victory. 

And still the brothers, with a strange conceit 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 155 

Of right in their rebellious enterprise, 

With kindled passion bend their energies 

To the enormous task of hopeless war, 

With hardly less devotion, if not more. 

Grandeur of sacrifice, determined will. 

Valiant encounter, worthy to prevail. 

If only righteousness had led the way, 

And Heaven could breathe a blessing; but to 

plunge 
In deeper ruin, if the wrong direct : 
Again to rise, in chastened poverty. 
In purer wisdom, clothed with larger power. 
To run an ampler race of liberty. 
And build their fortune on a firmer stone. 

Now let the glory and the wealth of praise 
Be to Jehovah, who the steady helm 
Held in a providence which wisely gave 
Victory or defeat, the envious powers 
Bridled with futile hopes, the smiling foe 
Snared in his own devices, and inspired. 
From frozen zone to torrid continent. 
In potent thrones and in the million breasts. 
Unfaltering sympathy. He touched the purse, 
And sumless treasure flowed ; the patriot heart. 
And states marched on in armies; seats of rule, 



156 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And counsel, by disaster wise, and slow 
To see, but seeing, took the mind, and wrought 
With broken fetters, freedom's franchisement, 
The righteous will of Heaven. And v/ondrously 
The elements of Nature heard their Lord, 
Helped in the grand design, and came and went 
With such a niceness of occasion, such 
Adjustment to the need, the dullest eye 
Could see his purpose in the little craft 
That smote the monster terror in its pride 
So opportunely ; in the timely flood, 
The ready wind, the prodigality 
And fatness of the fields, the opulent hills, 
The oily tribute of the rocks, the growth 
Of wealth and industry and peerless power, 
The ebb and flow of fortune, and in all 
The aim and subtle energy of things 
Still working for the right. He qualified 
The noble sons of Counsel and Command, 
Commissioned aptly to the needy time, 
. Strong links of lustre in the mighty chain 
That bound our triumph to his purposes ; 
A list to bend the page of history. 
And well oppress the weary wing of fame : 
Andrew, the governor, Morton, Buckingham, 
Wise to foresee, and prompt to execute ; 



THE COURT OF THE NATION^. 157 

The slave's bold champion, Sumner, resolute 
To smite the arrogance of desperate power, 
And lift the lowly in his eloquence. 
Still whitening honor in its swarthy use ; 
Wilson, who Vvore the glory of the heart 
Above the laurel on his humble brow ; 
Seward, heroic on his paper field. 
Holding reluctant nations with his pen, 
And conquering by a wise diplomacy; 
Stanton, prolific as a second Alars 
Incessant forces to the field to pour, 
Himself a will in torrent ; Chase, who filled 
The fiscal fountains to the brim, and hned 
The mighty pocket with his green and gold ; 
Garfield, who nobly left the studious halls 
To mingle in the martial element. 
Recalled to lead the battles of debate. 
And shape the seething forces, yet to mount 
The highest seat, and by untimely fate. 
So brave and cheerful, to entrance the world 
With an admiring love and reverence. 
He gave the gallant shipmen, — Farragut, 
Driving through iron walls his wooden wedge. 
Lashed in the smoky shrouds ; the sturdy Foote, 
So brave hib deck to canopy with prayer ; 
The gallant Worden, from his massy den 



J 58 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Belching terrific thunders ; and Dupont, 
His fiery circles wheeling on the foe ; 
And Winslow, sinking the piratic shame : 
The soldiers, fit to fill the martial posts, — 
Anderson, clinging to the crumbling fort 
In fearless passion of fidelity ; 
Lyon, too early fallen in his prime ; 
Macpherson, gathered in his fresh renown. 
Before the bright predictions wreathed his brow; 
Howard, the soldier of a higher sword, 
Reserved to face a deadlier obloquy ; 
Thomas, who wet his weapon with his tears, 
That it must be, and sunk the love of kin 
In higher love of country ; Sheridan, 
The thunderbolt of battle, like a troop 
Upon his single charger ; Sherman, bold 
To cleave the struggling monster to the sea, 
And only failing of the highest plume ; 
Grant, on whose laurel fortune never frowned, 
Whose tide of triumph never took an ebb, 
Whose star was constant in unclouded skies, 
With easy rank the foremost, in himself 
The ample counsel of his purposes. 
Tenacious as a tempest, still as strength, 
Ready with cheerful praise magnanimous, 
Modest in claim, in seats miperial safe, 



THE COURT OF TJHE NATION. 1 59 

Warfare his duty, and his temper peace ; 
And, over ail, the peerless President, 
Of gentle sympathy, of pleasant cheer 
For others v/hile the burden bent his soul, 
Of ponderous caution, wisely studious 
To seize the happy moment, with a faith 
In stout assurance never wavering. 
Of lustrous honesty, of marvelous skill 
To knit divergences and ravel out 
The tangles of the time, of courage grand 
To dare the justice of the mighty word. 
That freed the slave, and freed our victory; 
Sealing the triumph with his martyr blood 
Amid the tearful homage of the world. 

So He, who rolls the spheres, his chariot rolled 
Athwart the land, and gathered to its beam 
The chosen champions of his providence: 
These, and a multitude full worthy name, 
And countless undistinguished, like the stars, 
Not on the flaming forehead of the night, 
That yet, from unseen depths, their influence pour 
Into the wondrous working of the world. 
And all the thousands in their unknown graves, 
By battle, fever, prison, laid their lives 
To the appointed issue, not amiss, 



l6o THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Like drops that dress to harvest gloriously ; 

Till, with the bloody rain of judgment spent, 

And cleansing uproar of the elements, 

The heavens broke brightly in the beams of peace. 

And as the sun, at noonday, through the rifts 

In the dark wrapping of his stormy veil. 

Bursts forth in sudden splendor, and the earth 

Grandly pavilions with his royal light. 

So flamed the Pilgrim promise, from eclipse. 

In clear prediction of a nobler day ; 

And, far above the dying tempest, shone 

The flag of freedom in the foremost sky, 

With ampler aegis and a purer fold, 

Worthy to wave above the holy dome 

Of souls enfranchised, and to liberty 

Redeemed forever by the precious blood. 

The temple open to a world enslaved. 

This is thy country ; thine, whoever will, 
Out of whatever womb of parentage, 
Rest in the bosom of her ample care ; 
Thine, for the truth and God. With ready zeal 
Her noble burdens bear, yet more and more 
Warming thy heart with patriotic fire. 
Wear her great honors meekly, and to all 
Free the advantage thou dost freely boast. 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. i6t 

Her destiny advance ; her purpose fill 

With Heaven's great meaning, as a land of law, 

Of freedom, brotherhood and righteousness, 

Of peace and mercy. With fraternal bands 

Anew, in firmer union, nevermore 

To frown with lurid face of enmity, 

The shattered members bind. The hideous wounds. 

Black, angry, rankling from the desperate strife, 

Heal with the balm of kindness. Let the hand 

That hurled the thunder, filled the sulphurous lips 

With forceful arguments of government, 

And swept with fury of embattled storm, 

Rebuild the ruin, and replant the vine. 

Kiss the repentant, and receive again 

To the warm place of favor. Raise the foe 

To old advantage, with an eager joy 

Not to remember, if the crimson hand 

Will show its whiteness ; with a swift return 

Of privilege to returning loyalty. 

That will do justice ; yea, with honor, trust. 

Room in the noble niche of histoi^. 

If they, misled, their wanton folly own, 

And cleanse rebellion in their righteousness. 

But let the haughty leaders of the wrong, 

Petting their crime in stubborn petulance, 

Impenitent, be covered with their shame, 



l62 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And feel the smart of the avenging rod, 
In growing infamy as the years roll on. 
It is the way of mercy to forget; 
Of justice, to remember : and the books 
Groan with eternal record. Let the dark 
Race of the sun, in luxury of hope, 
And sovereign feeling of possession, still 
Enjoy their heavens, and in a righteous sky 
See their long midnight turn to glorious day; 
Full clad in civil symbols, every tongue 
Taught in ennobling knowledge, manly hands 
Armed with the potent suffrage, bravely won 
On many a field heroic. Otherwise 
How can the common safety surely rest, 
• But in the common hand enfranchised, taught 
In the intelligence of duty, and left 
To its unfrightened freedom ? Wide to all 
Open the welcome portals of thy good, 
And to thy sunshine gather every wreck, 
The tempest-tost and weary, and amend 
With thy unstinted blessing. So be just, 
Thy bounty with a generous fervor use, 
And from the heavens of bounty will descend, 
Like showers of spring, enriching benefit, 
Tributes of favor, and benignant stores 
Above the noted happiness of time. 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 163 

Now let the sword rust, to the peaceful plow 
Return the war-horse ; labor win the bays, 
And the triumphant reaper sweep the field. 
Let industry outring the tread of Mars, 
And useful science ply her enginery. 
So by the arts of peace thy greatness build. . 
See, in the lurid glare along the past, 
And scarcely vanished from the eastern sky. 
How the rank glory of the martial years 
May burn to ashes in one fiery day, 
And shame run riot over arms and thrones ! 
Napoleon is the meteor of an hour. 
And nothing quenches like ambitious blood. 
Thrice is triumphant wrong a sham of fame. 
Let mercy rather, truth, heroic right. 
Impartial justice, learning, liberty, 
Thy ramparts be, thy weapons, thy defence, 
And peace will reign in long prosperity. 
Bear witness may the second hundreth year, 
With each successive in the mighty roll. 
And welcome all the nations with display 
Of thrice more bounteous, wonderful advance 
Of a rich century, with the olive crowned; 

Now, from the watch-tower of thy privilege, 
O favored denizen ! with wide survey 



164 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Fitly thy life inspire. See how the land, 

With what a broad and rich magnificence, 

Pleads for a noble spirit ! The lofty hills 

Rival the clouds, the vales the vaulted sky, 

The plains the boundless main. The rocky wombs 

Teem with a double store of orient wealth, 

To glut the greedy coffers of the world, 

And feed the needy lights of every land 

With their unfailing fatness. Fields afar, 

Like oceans, wave with harvests, to refresh 

The hunger of the nations. Rivers flow. 

Like seas, the paths of empire, arteries 

Of opulent life, coursing a continent, 

Gorged vv^ith the flood of traffic. Forests wave 

Their leafy banners of a thousand years 

In ranks colossal, with a tempering shield 

To shelter swarming millions. Massy beds 

Of ebon possibility of fire, 

Out of the vast carbonic elements 

Through countless years compacted, like a sun 

Pent in the prisoning rocks, exhaustless store 

Of comfort, power, dominion, ready lie 

To feed the hungry furnaces of toil. 

And warm the world. And Vulcan, close at hand. 

With faculty gigantic, like a god. 

And hammers huge, and smutty treasures, far 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 1 65 

Richer than all the metals of delight 
That fill the earth with glitter, gathered up 
Out of the molten fury of the globe, 
Sweats in Plutonian smithies to advance 
The golden age of iron ; whose stalwart arm 
Shall wield the sceptre of the industries. 
That yet will all the nations bind and bless 
In peace, and happy commerce of content. 

In such a heritage thy heart enlarge 
To its majestic rule : so grand thy deeds, 
So fair thy justice, large thy liberty. 
Generous thy welcome, thy designs of good 
So ample and benign. The noble soul 
Nurture in all the body's amplitude. 
And build into the grandeur of its home. 
What realm so rich, it can afford to be 
Cursed with a pauper spirit ? What domain 
So vast and favored, it may not be dwarfed 
With pinched and puny aims ? The soul made 

great,— 
This, this the meanest land will glorify. 
The rocks enrich, the snows with honor crown, 
And from the hills a manly harvest reap. 

The force of truth, the press of Providence, 



l66 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

The discipline of duty, these the soul, 
Like ductile gold, shape to its nobleness. 
Then help the heavens a worthy race to form. 
From every hill, free as its native springs, 
Let goodly rills of learning plenteously 
Flow for the needy millions. Every mind 
A realm regard, to conquer, and invest 
With a fine sceptre of corrected will. 
To rule the coming ruler. Precious seed 
In broadcast scatter, which shall ripen men 
In harvests of all gracious excellence. 
Weeds are ignoble ; thorns of barrenness 
Obstruct the living march. The ignorant soul 
Is like a desert, where the Arab lusts 
In untamed passion riot. Wisdom grows 
Only where her choice elements are found, 
Compounded freely of the earth and sky ; 
And cultivation, wrought with heavenly truth, 
Teems with a mighty manhood : as in fields, 
Where most the fertilizing forces yield 
Their potence, and munificently fall 
The cloud and sun, the richest harvests wave. 
For, without God, knowledge is ignorance. 
And civilization gilded barbarism. 

Then let the Scriptures, pregnant with the seed 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 1 67 

And fruitful elements of all benefit, 

Ply their celestial virtue more and more 

In every human sphere : in every home, 

To curb the passions, knit a finer grace, 

The gentle breath embalm with sweet content, 

And garland with the shining wreath of hope 

The cradle and the grave ; in every school, 

The light to enlighten, trim its lurid lamp 

With a correcting beam, showing a way, 

Amid the stormy wTangles of the earth, 

Clear to the throne of truth ; in every mart. 

The code of gold, in honesty to shape 

The throbbing traffic ; where great justice sits, 

To weigh the niceness of impartial law. 

Or legislation labors, patiently. 

Out of the rubbish of our selfishness. 

To rear aright the frame of equity. 

What other angel of the spheres will come 

With more substantial blessing, more apjDlause 

And plentitude of glorious benefit. 

Than white-winged wisdom from the throne supreme? 

What ! thrust Jehovah from the needy soul. 

Turn a deaf ear to his inspiring voice. 

And listen to the drivelings of men ? 

Scorn the full flowing bosom of the sky, 

And draw our nurture from the paps of fools ? 



t68 the temple rebuilt. 

Spurn the delicious, wholesome, heavenly air, 
And snuff the sulphurous effluence of hell ? 
Shut the eternal visions, and the hopes 
Of earth, in all their yearning interest. 
Narrow within the petty inch of time. 
And blast that inch with canker of unrest ? 
Or leave to fancy the celestial way, 
Our immortality and glorious hope 
To a rude reason in its impotence ? 

No ! rather let the Word, the holy source 
Of comfort, wisdom, life, intelligence. 
In every, sphere its tidings sweetly tell, 
In every field its trumpet boldly sound 
To urge the enterprises of the just; 
Not hustled by a grim intolerance 
To trail its glories to the whims of men. 
And bow its stately presence at the beck 
Of bitter hate, or ribald blasphemy. 
Hell would destroy this bulwark, and the soul 
Leave stark and naked to her enemies. 
But grasp more firmly, as more fiercely fall 
The blows of rough and surly enmity 
Upon the golden shield ; and, with the glow 
Of veteran valor for his native flag. 
Triumphant from a hundred furious fields, 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 169 

Cling to the ensign from the walls of heaven, 

That still its glory waves afar, undimmed 

After jhe siege of thrice a thousand years. 

Yield not an inch to infidelity, 

Nor give to scoffing bigotry its way, 

The heathen fountains open, the divine 

Closed, lest perchance sectarian streams may fio\\ , 

And tincture Christ-like in a Christian land. 

The bigot's triumph, of the blackest art, 

Is when he lurks in swamp and deadh'^ fen. 

Shoots at the noblest with a savage aim. 

And draws infernal plaudit from the pit. 

Marshal the prayer, the ballot, heaven ar.d earth ; 

And w^ith a firm and sovereign instinct dare 

Thy heritage maintain. The Bible shut 

Is heaven restrained from dew, the heart from hope. 

The land from benediction. It is crime, 

Hate to the truth, rebellion to the Throne, 

Rank cruelty to man. It is to toss 

Upon a sea of foam the shattered State, 

Hang on the peaceful sky the thunderous pall, 

And drape the day wdth darkness ; yea, to turn 

Backward the stream of progress to its spring 

Among the heathen horrors, and arrest 

The axis of the world. Then see the ships 

Idly at anchor rot, dearth fret the fields, 



lyo THE TEMPLE REBUIT. 

Bees lock their hives, barbaric years return 

To rout the ages, energy relapse 

To savage indolence, destruction mass 

Her troop of terrors, war with torrent curse 

Run riot, and the hapless land again 

Before her idols welter, grim with blood, 

Filthy, forlorn, disconsolate, accursed. 

Nay, rather give the glorious wisdom way. 

Like the clear march of morning, not a cloud 

Holding its envious curtain to the sun. 

Not one ray dimmed. Bend the full bow of God. 

Unloose the shining quiver, that may fly 

Forth, in the victory of abounding light. 

Bright arrov^^s ; till submissive souls of men, 

Enlightened, with immortal graces glow, 

Industry, prudence, virtue, self-control, 

A noble counsel for the current time. 

And nobler knowledge of eternal good. 

With its pervasive lift of godliness 

Correct the groveling age. The foreign eye, 

With unbelief and superstition bleared, 

Heal in its lustre. Every human right 

Enrich, commission to full privilege 

By its free lessons. Let the ballot gleam 

With its pure glory, and the sovereign rule 

Mould to its standard, sceptre with its rod ; 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 171 

A government, whose seat is solidly, 

As hills of God, on deep foundations built 

Beyond the ruin of corroding time. 

The simple Word, its own interpreter, 
And massive weapon of its own defence, 
Wielded of heaven, can make its single way. 
And mightily the surly darkness bind 
Fast at its feet. But as the Solar King 
Sweeps with his shining squadron of the sky. 
Not to augment, but to reflect his powder, 
So add a troop of fair attendant orbs 
Of kindred light and lustre, — holy hearts 
Instructed by the ages, tongues enriched 
With commerce of immortals, sturdy tomes, 
Like giants, to repel the airy hordes 
That hope wdth paper fume to carry heaven. 
And scale with enginery of rude conceit 
The mighty empyrean. Nor despise 
The things of paltry presence, wdiich oft gain 
Superior vantage to the most renowned ; 
The million fragile leaflets of the truth, 
Like flakes of spring, with soft fertility 
To melt and trickle into thirsty hearts. 
And as the trumpet has its tender note, 
The thunder cadence of a gentler mood, 



172 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

So every sphere of sorrow, toil, mischance, 
Fill with the dulcet echoes of the Ward, 
That with a thousand accents may divide 
The strength and music of the heavenly tone. 
And sweetly to the hut and mansion speak. 

And let the grateful fruit of enterprise, 
So prospered in the light, richly disburse, 
And, from the truth, the truth with wings provide. 
To ply the ample air, and like the stars 
Sweep tireless on. The enriching potency. 
As clouds suck back the waters which they pour. 
Itself should be enriched. Wherever sounds 
The wailing note of need, in ready troop 
The consecrated angels of the purse 
Send forth on bounteous wings. The generous 

prayer. 
So rich in wishes, and so fondly full 
Of heavenly aid, another's sacrifice. 
Thyself fulfil. The rising walls assist. 
And give a bow or archer. Help the crude 
Fledglings of learning in their lofty aim 
To qualify, and with a freighted breath 
Spread the glad news of glory. Where the sun 
Burns hottest, where the icy sceptre holds 
Relentless empire, where sweet islands fioat, 



th£ court of the nation. 173 

On every shore, thy treasure freely plant, 
And sow- the earth for heaven. The noble lives 
Of missionary faith and sacrifice, 
With holy nations teeming in their toil, 
The clearest illustration of the dear 
Descent and mission of the grace Divine, 
Help, and th} self ennoble. Nor the less. 
With heart enlarged by duty round the globe. 
But more, the toilers in the native fields, 
In want, in hardship^ in obscurity. 
Richly remember ; burdened with a cross 
More bitter in its suffering, oftentimes. 
Than any on the darkest shore of sin ; 
More foreign, since at home, as distant wants, 
Like mountains gleaming in the blue afar. 
Often the eye engage, when nearer needs. 
Because so near, we in our good forget. 
Thinking, forsooth, who dwell within our gates, 
When round us surges blessing like the sea, 
Without our aid, must in the blessing share. 
Nay, all the more, we at the citadel. 
In battlemented safety, richly filled, 
Should ever, with a wealth of sympathy, 
With ceaseless sacrifice of purse and prayer, 
Sustain the comrades at the rugged edge, 
Circled with battle, day nor night at rest; 



174 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Heroic as the noblest that renown 

Ever applauded at the cannon's mouth; 

The banner waving in determined march 

To southern sun and western, well-resolved 

The gates of hell to humble, or to die; 

Relaying in the wilderness the deep 

Foundations of the fathers, to the line 

Hung from the heavens, and those majestic states 

Nursing in their gigantic infancy, 

Till, clad in power, and saved to righteousness, 

They take the van of empire. Richl}' cast 

On those vast waters, will thy seed return 

In after years a plenty, where tlie earth. 

As from an infinite granery, may feed, 

And fill the famine of its needy life. 

But what avails, if from the forces bright 
Drop holy time ^ How shall the summer crow^n 
Her brow with harvest, if from heaven's high arch 
Fail the full noon ? In the recurrent seven 
Let one day be supreme, sacred and sure, 
For love, for rest, for worship. Hold it fast 
Against the hatred of the holy Name, 
The ribald scoff, the vandal unbelief, 
The greed of pelf, the lust of luxury. 
The reeky influence of the elder world, 



THE COURT OF THfi NATION. 1 75 

That to the fair fruit stretches eagerly 
On thy grand olive, yet with custom keen 
Cuts at the deepest roots. Why not, if God 
Rested ? and if, on that sweet morning, Christ 
Over the grave rose victor to the full 
Supremacy of mercy, why not thou 
To work of love and rest of worship rise, 
And in that respite fold thy weary cares ? 
Yes, every day be holy, like the place 
Before the altar ; this, before the ark, 
Where the bright cherubim adoring bend, 
In glory covered with the Clor.d of God. 
The holiest holds the sceptre, rules the rest. 
And with it falls the temple. Once the week 
Rob of its hallowed crovvn, soon and as far 
Is God dethroned. The holy symbol lost. 
The Presence is forgotten. Break the day, 
And thou art ready for all sacrilege, 
With nothing sacred without sacred time. 
The Sabbath weakening is decay begun ; 
The Sabbath lost is Satan's holiday. 

Let mountains sooner in a molten flood 
Pour to the ocean, and the fertile fields 
Burn into desert, and the rivers dry 
Their commerce to the sand, and every keel 



176 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Its burden bur}^ in a foaming grave, 

And fiery giants hew the forests down, 

And whirlwinds wrestle with the villages, 

And pestilence with stealthy havoc creep 

In decimation of the frightened homes, — 

Sooner than fail the day of dear repose, 

Nearness of Heaven, culture of godliness, 

In the tempestuous surges of the time. 

And perish, to the peril of the State, 

The fall of freedom, ruin of the soul 

Wrecked in eternal storm. Beware the doom ! 

Hear, on the eastern air, in fearful roll 

Above the ruins of the sacred time. 

The thunders of avenging penalty. 

And dread the hovering terrors. Land to land 

Quakes with the tread of vengeance, marching on 

To vindicate the trampled day of peace, 

Or resting only to recover force 

For fiercer onset of the bloody storm. 

Thy safety measure by the righteous rule 

Of duty, measured by the heavenly dues 

Of worship, service, lowly gratitude. 

Who can the whirlwind sow, and softly reap 

Zephers in harvest? Can a blessing crown 

The rude, despoiling hand of sacrilege. 

Crowding' its lusts into the holy place, 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 1 77 

High Heaven forgotten, and the spoil of God 
Dragged at the dusty chariot of the world ? 

Ring then, O Sabbath bells ! and ever ring. 
Through the calm air and sober thoughts of men, 
This joyous peal : " Welcome, delightful day ! 
Earnest of days celestial, dedicate 
To truth, to worship, to immortal good. 
O joyful rest ! O toil of tireless love, 
Refreshment of the earthly weariness ! 
O sacred stillness, calm from labor's din ! 
O glorious courts ! above all palaces 
Of pride and pomp and flattering minstrelsy, 
However roofed and walled with lowliness, 
Where loving courtiers meet the King of kings 
In dear devotion, and supremely lay 
Their tribute at his feet. The gracious Power 
Gently descends, enlightens, comforts, thrills 
With the deep bliss of pardon. All the air 
Is full of angels ; music's happy voice 
Breathes in the rich oblation. Now the Lord 
Walks in his aisles of glory, and the word. 
Tutored in all devices of delight. 
Speaks endless benediction. Happy land ! 
That hears the heavenly summons, and, arrayed 
In festive robes of rest from weary strife, 



178 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Fills the fair temples with her worshippers ; 

Hill, valley, forest echoing with the songs 

And lofty pleasures of the hallowed hour, 

While heaven hangs hovering with benignant store, 

And on the grateful incense God descends. 

Oh ! give to earthly care one day of calm, 

One day of worship to thy weary soul, 

And all the seven will so be sanctified ; 

Thy treasures true, thy work sublimely wrought, 

Around thee all the favoring forces camped, 

And, just before, eternal holiday/' 

How sad the land without a government 
Reflecting splendor from the throne supreme ; 
Whose turbid influence, an immoral Nile, 
Floods the fair fields with foul fertility ! 
Purge, then, the springs of power ; and, in the seat 
Ambition seeks, but only Worth should win, 
Bid Merit sacrifice himself, and show 
How glorious is the sufferance of wrong, 
The press of care, the angry blasts of blame 
On the uncovered head of dignity, 
Devout to duty ; and, as on a mount. 
With lustrous name illumine all the land, 
Till the remotest bosom, like a glass. 
Reflect the image of his nobleness. 



THE COURT OF THE NATION. 1 79 

Why lift aloft the baseling ? give the sword 

To unanointed hands ? garland the brow 

Which virtue never crowned ? Ah ! devils give 

Poor deity for worship. It is death 

To put corruption in the potent place ; 

As in the brain a sliver w^ill destroy, 

Which scarce the heel would harm. Full easily 

From lofty fountains flows infection down. 

The upas with advantage from the height 

Breathes far its fatal odors. From a tower 

The treacherous light is night with emphasis. 

The reeling pilot will imperil more, 

And quickly find familiar jeopardy. 

So the untamed Ambition, with the rein, 

Albeit an angel fallen in his pride, 

Will rouse a tempest which he cannot rule, 

And, like a comet with disheveled locks, 

Scatter wild havoc from his wheels of war. 

Not thy misfortune, land of liberty ! 
But crime, if other than the noblest rule. 
The regal loins may but beget a curse, 
And turn a monster on the helpless State. 
The suffrage is the potent privilege 
-Of freedom, and with blessings richly fraught. 
If in a virtuous use ; wdth curses dire, 



l8o THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

If crafty lust the mighty bridle seize, 
And madly drive the easy multitude. 
Cleanse thy vote well, and use it. Let it bear 
On its white pinions still the purest hand. 
The ripest wisdom, and the manliest mind. 
Up to the highest stations of the State, 
The place ennobling with a noble name : 
Virtue thy senator, inflexible 
As mountain to the whirlwind ; Justice, clad 
In ermine of bright probity, thy judge ; 
T]]y legislator, Right, wdth even shears 
Shaping the impartial law ; thy counsellor, 
Wisdom, all consonant to the voice divine ; 
Integrity, thy fiscal officer. 
That \\ ill not, by the whittle of a dime. 
Shave the robustness of the promised due ; 
Thy royal lawyer, Love, skilled to resolve 
The tangled problems of the common good ; 
And, over all, in unconditioned power, 
Christ, the sole monarch of right liberty. 
And so the true democracy confirm, 
Tlie rule of Heaven, the theocratic sway 
Of God in man, his kingdom in thy blood, 
Its substance mingling with the nation's life, 
Till all become immortal as itself. 



THE COURT OF THE. NATION, l8l 

See, in the gloomy mirror of the past, 
The ages pictured in mirage of death, 
Strewn with the wrath and ruin, stately wrecks 
From storms of judgment on their guiltiness ! 
Thy fated image, unless thou betimes. 
By the wise pilotage of righteousness. 
Shun the dark rocks where fell the fleets of time. 
The earthquake, in his fiery caverns pent, 
Crunches the bars of his imprisonment, 
To topple cities in his furious play. 
Impatient lightnings fret. The storm of war 
Hangs in black masses, ready to engulf 
The godless nation in a sea of blood ; 
And, on the air, the eager pestilence 
Awaits his hideous banquet. Oh, beware ! 
Why court the perils of unrighteousness. 
And arm the heavens against thee ? Why invoke 
The furious wa^es of the trade of wrono* : 
Fire, seas of slaughter, discord madly loose, 
Men into monsters, women into fiends 
Turned in their vile and shameless infamy. 
The brazen harlot crowned, the boasted name 
Rent with exploded glory, flesh consumed 
With horror of its pleasures, faces crisped' 
With burning passion, bosoms black as night 
With famine of their joy, the fruitful fields 



l82 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Trampled to jDarrenness, the foreign hoof 
Upon the stately neck, historic domes, 
Grand decorations, monuments of pride, 
Shattered in ruin, and thy memory 
Hung in grim warning on the walls of time ? 

Defend thee rather from a fate so dread, 
My country! with the shield of righteousness, 
And rally boldly to the throne of God. 
In holy justice harnessed, high advance 
The bright eternal banner, and afar. 
To all the circuit of conspiring wrongs, 
Fling the full challenge of intrepid war. 
Thy scutcheon cover with the blazonry 
Of human interests and the common weal. 
Keep holy time complete. Devoutly hold 
The truth, the temple, and the name of God. 
By gratitude and fair humility 
Make greater still thy greatness. More and more, 
From thy abounding riches, copiously 
Pour to the needy nations. Legislate 
For justice, virtue, equity of good, 
The rule of love, the sway of liberty. 
Build on foundations, for the ages build, 
And gird thy wisdom with the word divine. 
Break every fetter, every grevious yoke 



THE COURT OF TH«E NATION. 183 

From toil, from sorrow, helpless poverty, 
Or grinding in the bitter mills of wrong. 
Fulfil the promise of the Pilgrim dawn, 
That streaked with brighter day thy early east ; 
Thy constitution flaming like a star 
Upon the night, ablaze with righteousness, 
Of highest glory to the throne supreme. 
And blessing to the lowest. Then, above 
The fear and deadly peril, wilt thou stand 
Firm as the rooted mountains, and extend 
By stable peace, by prosperous enterprise, 
By fellowship of friendly interests. 
By truth more free, by liberty more true. 
By an example purged of every stain. 
By the bright features of a virtue still 
Distilling beauty and a healthful life. 
Immortal vigor and immortal grace ; 
Expanding with the years, till all the world 
One with thy blessing and thy name become. 
One law, one throne, one spirit, one renown^ 
One temple of one worship and one song, 
One heavenly realm, one kingdom of the Lord. 



BOOK VIII. 

THE COURT OF THE WORLD. 



The temple to embrace the world. Christian patriotism broad as the 
earth. The fearful condition of the heathen. The grandeur of missionary 
zeal and sacrifice. The same spirit and devotion always needed, always 
successful. Encouragement from prophecy. All things conspire to ad- 
vance the final triumph. The millennial glory. 



And now the rising temple, with the" heart 
Expanding, has a court where all the world 
May gather to the warm embrace of love, 
Find room abundant, entertainment sweet, 
A common altar, and a common hope. 
And as, within the Holy Edifice, 
In glory gleaming on the sacred mount, 
The Gentiles might their daily service bring, 
And share in every bounteous privilege, 
Save of the inner circles, so should all 
The nations share our bosom, in the care 
And warmth of loving brotherhood, except 

184 



THE COURT OF THE WORLD. 185 

The inmost sanctuary, and the deep 
Recesses of the dearest tenderness. 

O heart of holiness ! expanding thus, 
Thy land embrace with such affection fond 
As dotes upon her very rills and stones, 
And gilds with beauty even her barrenness ; 
Thy land, but not thine only, though as fair 
As hills of Paradise. The Christ-like love. 
Broader and deeper than the law of blood. 
Takes to its ample heart the utmost clime. 
The saintly patriotism of the skies 
Makes earth thy country, man thy native race, 
And every soul thy kindred. Not a foot 
Treads in a vale so low, in ways so dark. 
The light was not to bless, the Cross to save. 
Stand to the purpose, till tiiumphantly, 
Across the sea, across the continent. 
To the full limit of its line it go, 
And bear the banner to the farthest isle. 
Disciple all the nations, and to Christ 
Draw the devotion of his royal due. 
Smite on the world of waters ; lo ! afar 
The nimble impulse reaches, and the wave 
Runs round the globe. So may a loving stroke 
Shake all the planet, and a throb of heart 



86 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Send life beyond the seas. Thy influence may, 
On wings celestial, reach remotest shores 
With blessing in its beam, thy charity 
Blossom in distant deserts, and thy prayer 
Shed its prolific dews in every clime. 

Oh ! the sad millions pity, in their blind 
Rush to the deadly chambers, with His grief 
Who wrought the cure with suffering. Feel the 

bruise 
Of nations in their bondage, and assist 
Redemption to her triumph. Let the earth, 
Wasted with sin, lurid in wretchedness, 
With the volcanic curse on every shore 
Heaving and raging in convulsion dire, 
Full through thy field of contemplation sail, 
And by the fearful vision w^ell awake 
The cruel slumbers of indifference. 
See how the idols yet their banners flaunt 
In grim defiance of the Son of God ! 
See demons revel in the wretchedness, 
And countless victims gorge ! See darkness fell, 
Belching destruction from its thunderous throat. 
In murky masses wildly pour along 
In storms of death ! See millions, mad in sin, 
Troop in the ways infernal, holocausts 



THE COURT OF THE> WORLt). 187 

Of passion, votaries of deluding lies, 

Impudent, lustful, impious to defy 

The lightning lurking in the arm of God ! 

See churches, mantled once in holiness, 

And beauteous with the garments of the King, 

Now in corruption clad ! the heavenly truth 

Deformed with falsehood ^ heathen mixtures blent 

With the sweet waters of the wells of life ; 

Barbaric manners made devout ; the broad 

Way signified for heaven ; the crown of bliss 

The purchase of a song ; the saintly show 

Of holy vestments on Satanic scurf, 

The thin disguise of crafty villiany ; 

The pomp of worship, pageantry of praise, 

That only pelt with pride the stately roof. 

While all beyond is silent ; helpless sheep 

By wolvish shepherds shorn, and from the sweet 

Pastures of plenty driven to feed on thorns 

In the rough comfort of the wilderness. 

Hear, hear, from depths eternal, surging up 

In everlasting concert of despair. 

The wail of endless woe. Hear thine own heart 

In fearful memory echo to the groans, 

And listen to thy throbbing sympathy. 

And there amid the gleaming mansions hear, 

From every region gathered, multitudes 



88 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Immortal, in their glorious blessedness, 
Pleading with harps and voices jubilant 
To swell their ranks of glory. Higher still, 
Louder than all the pealing symphonies. 
Than all the hallelujahs of the blest. 
Even with the silent eloquence of hands 
That lift their crimson argument to. God, 
Hear the full welcome of the gracious Lamb, 
Ready the meanest million to receive 
From black rebellion to the bright estate. 

What page is there of famous history, 
For wealth of wisdom, rank of nobleness, 
Zeal of devotion, martial enterprise. 
And victory of illustrious benefit. 
More glorious than the missionary page, 
Where saintly heroes everlasting crowns 
Have won, and in unfading garland wear 
Above the blaze of arms ? The brightest fame, 
That ever wove the chaplets of the brave, 
Pales in their bright renown. Ambitious bays. 
With cruel blood bedewed, like new-mown weeds 
Wither in their clear glory. All the earth 
Feels their heroic pulses, glorified, 
Above the valor of a thousand fields. 
In such high feats of blessing. World on world 



THE COURT OF THE ^ WORLD. 189 

With wonder view the saintly sacrifice, 

The very image of that grace Divine, 

Whose earthly life, on even to Calvary, 

In every vein and mortal fibre flowed 

With missionary blood. They lived in death, 

And daily from the altar, like a flame. 

Rose in the incense of their offering. 

Sweetly they drank the bitter, joyfully 

Their cup of duty to the dregs of blood. 

Onward the ark in valiant arms they bore, 

The sacred banner onward, till it flames. 

Like the resplendent heralding of day. 

On all the hills of morning. Mountain peak 

To the far sea echoed their battle cry 

Amid the falling idols ; and their fire 

Of holy zeal, and blaze of bravery. 

Burned quenchless to the grave. And from their 

seed 
Bright empires sprang, submissive to the King, 
And caught the royal style and atmosphere 
Of higher skies, Jerusalem anew 
Rising in all the earth. And louder grew 
The music of their march, while the full heavens 
Caught up in chorus the triumphant song. 

That spirit lives to-day, will never die, 



190 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Nor furl its ensign to the enemy ; 

Lives in full faith of costlier victories, 

A flame of blessing in the heathen night, 

That in a rich, inspiring recompense 

Back to its native hearth glances its beams ; 

Worthy of valiant help, an affluent hand. 

To hold the conquered, win advancing fields. 

And when, from far, the cry for succor comes 

Above the din and fury of affairs, 

A cry of anguish in the bitter stress 

Of weakness and imperiled victory, 

Along the kindling ranks then let it ring, 

Like the shrill trumpet of impassioned war, 

To stir the laggard with heroic fire. 

Let the old grave of fallen valor wake 

In double resurrection ; reinforce 

The shattered ensigns ; aged, weary years 

With youthful blood anew invigorate. 

Stand by them in the battle valiantly. 

With heart enamored of the privilege. 

With conquering faith, with costly gifts of love. 

Strong with the almighty promise, till on all 

The earth, in plentitude of victory, 

The mighty banner of the Lord is furled. 

Now from the oracles prophetic hear, 



THE COURT OF THE -WORLD. 191 

With burning spirit to fulfil the word, 

The voices of divine encouragement, 

And promises of God : " Zion, awake ! 

Put on thy strength, Jerusalem ; arise, 

Clad in the beauty of thy bright array. 

Arise in splendor ; for thy light is come, 

And on thee risen the glory of the Lord. 

Darkness the earth, gross darkness like a pall 

Covers the people ; but on thee is seen 

Jehovah in his glory. To thy light 

The Gentiles come, and to thy brightness kings. 

Lift up thine eyes, see how in throngs they come, 

Thy sons from far, thy daughters to thy side ! 

With joy and fear thy heart shall overflow, 

Because to thee the abundance of the sea 

Shall turn, and riches of the nations. Lo ! 

The isles wait for me ; and the nimble ships 

Fly like a cloud, or swift doves to their cotes. 

Bringing from far thy sons, with golden store. 

Unto the Holy One of Israel, 

Who thee hath beautified so gloriously. 

The sons of strangers shall thy walls rebuild. 

Kings to thee minister ; for where in wrath 

I smote, with loving favor will I bless. 

Therefore, by day nor night, shall nevermore 

Thy gates be shut, that men to thee may bring 



192 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Their riches and their rulers ; for .the land 
^ That will not serve thee shall be desolate, 
And every nation wasted utterly. 
They that afflicted thee shall bending come, 
They that despised shall bow them at thy feet, 
And call thee "Zion, City of the Lord." 
No more forsaken, hated, I will make 
Thee henceforth an eternal excellence, 
A joy of generations without end. 
With royal milk shalt thou be nursed, and know 
That I, the Mighty One of Israel, 
Am thy Redeemer, and thy loving Lord. 
I will restore the precious for the vile, 
Make peace thy law, thy rulers righteousness. 
No more in thee shall violence be heard. 
Nor wasting in thy borders, but thy vv^alls 
Salvation shall be called, and thy gates Praise. 
Nor sun, nor moon more shall thy brightness be; 
The Lord alone thy light, thy glory God. 
All righteous shall thy people be, the earth 
Inherit, that I may be glorified. 
For I have set upon my holy hill 
My Son beloved, my anointed King, 
To rule the nations with a rod of iron, 
And dash in pieces every enemy. 
The heathen shall be his inheritance, 



THE COURT OF THE WORLD. 193 

From sea to sea his limitless command. 
Before him shall all kings in homage fall, 
All people serve him, and their presents bring. 
His kingdom shall all kingdoms of the world 
Break and consume, and like a mountain roll 
Over the empires, crushing them like chaff 
Of summer threshing, and fill all the earth. 
For he must reign till every enemy 
Is made his footstool ; till to him shall bow 
All heaven and earth, and every tongue confess. 
Already, lo, he comes ! Lift up your heads, 
Ye heavenly gates ! and be ye lifted up, 
Ye everlasting doors ! and welcome in 
The King of glory from his victories." 

Wrought in the spirit of these promises, 
Triumphant Zion ! to thy day advance ; 
On with the help almighty. More and more 
Let earth with holy enterprise resound, 
With fervent supplication, fervid work. 
The stir of love, the cheering minstrelsy, 
The trumpet peal, the clash of sacred war, 
The rumble of advancing victory. 
The gracious turmoil of foundations laid. 
And hallowed noise of temples everywhere 
Rising to God. On, more and more, O wheels ! 



94 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

That high and dreadful bear the burning throne ; 

Roll on in might, break every barrier down, 

And every mountain level to a way 

For the victorious Mercy. Bend, ye winds ! 

To gentle service of the heavenly sails. 

And thou, O bosom of the boisterous deep! 

Thy billows to a softer mood command, 

And tenderly the messengers of peace, 

The sacred ark in reverent waftage bear. 

Till love and grace shall banner every shore, 

And every isle salvation. Haste, O Sun ! 

To give the nations light ; thy face unveiJ, 

Till every land is noon, and hideous night 

Consume her idols in the blaze of day. 

On, Cross of Triumph ! wider, wider yet. 

Celestial ensigns ! wave. Arm of the Lord ! 

Awake, awake, as in the ancient days ; 

Gird on thy sword, and prosperously ride ; 

Shake all the nations, and thy throne restore. 

Church of the living God ! thy task fulfil ; 

Enlarge thy past, and let one fervid hour 

Outdo an age of frosty indolence. 

Redeem the flying moments, and redeem 

The buried opportunities of years. 

Planting their graves with nobler monuments. 

See yet the work undone, thy faithful hand, 



THE COURT OF THE WORLD, 1 95 

Obedient, would have centuries ago 
Reaped with a crowded sickle ! Hasten on 
The coming glory of the promised day, 
When righteousness, in undisputed rule, 
Under new heavens, upon an earth renewed, 
Shall wield the empire of the happy world. 
Loosen thy bands, and from captivity 
Leap to the largest liberty of love, 
And to the garner of the heavenly King 
Harvest the nations. Lo ! the womb of time 
With mighty fruit is teeming, and a day 
May bring a people to the birth of God. 

Oh ! fill thy faith with victory. It will come. 
Though tarrying long, as surely as the sun 
Scatters the darkness with his wheels of fire ; 
As surely as the Almighty Faithfulness, 
With every force obedient, will secure 
The purposed benediction in his hour. 
Above the clouds the Mount of Vision climb, 
And far and wide, on wings of glory, see 
The starry angels of the coming age. 
Behold the advancing Throne ! The mighty wheels, 
Slow through the centuries, now with burning orbs 
Are swiftly nearing their appointed goal. 
Light breaks in every land. The sovereign morn, 



196 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With bright wings of the everlasting day, 
Hovers above the hills. Benignant clouds, 
The teeming chariot of high Providence, 
The lightning quenched, the threatening thunder 

still, 
Hang ready in the heavens, at his command. 
In copious grace to pour their blessings down. 
Wake, visionary hope ! now wake to find 
More than thy dreams fulfilled. Already hear 
Pealing the bells celestial, whose glad tongues, 
Instinct with prophecy, salute the end. 
The idols mutter in their livid rage. 
And writhe in their own fires ; devils incensed 
Within the flames with fury, that at length 
The direful superstitions, which so long 
Have bound the nations to their tyranny, 
Are broken from the world. Philosophy, 
In sweeter mood of meekness, reverently 
Sits at the footstool of celestial truth, 
.And reason comes to reason. Science gives. 
From her imperial treasures wide displayed. 
To every fair necessity of men, 
A thousand-fold more with a righteous hand, 
Than when, all puffed and blatant with conceit. 
She seeks alone to solve tlie mysteries, 
And worships merely things ; advancing still 



THE COURT OF THE WORLD. I97 

Higher and wider with advancing faith, 

And wiser growing, as ready to discern 

In every atorri, lavv^, force, element. 

The vital throbbing of the Deity, 

And mighty will of God. Art, to her touch 

The untainted nature wooing, cunningly 

To fairer forms her plastic matter moulds ; 

The truth in beauty shapes, with the exquisite 

Adorning of the soul, in purity 

And nobleness severe. Great industry 

To richer toil her steady forces turns. 

With consecrated wheels, and enginery 

Smooth as the still machinery of the stars ; 

The heavens in harness, angels in the yoke, 

The might of honest strokes, the just reward, 

And equal honor to the iron arm 

As to the hand of gold. The nobler parts, 

By virtue quickened almost to divine. 

Foresee and ponder with an energy 

Rivaling celestial, wing no barren clime, 

Make knowledge facile, reason a delight. 

And wisdom like a cup of ruddy wine 

In its delicious ease. The cumbrous flesh, 

In emulation of its spirit lord, 

The generous pressure feels, the stimulus 

Of holy nurture, drinks the wholesome air 



198 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

As at a banquet, knits its noble form 

To wondrous shapes of strength and comeliness, 

Laughs at disorder, and with every pore 

Blesses the healthful holiness. The fields, 

In sympathy through every atom, load 

The fertile year with harvests like the heart, 

So bounteous, every mouth abundantly 

With food is filled, and the contented song : 

The happy fields, compelled no more to drink 

The bloody springs of battle, and no more 

To turn to golden grain the crimson dew. 

Fashion sweet roses out of human gore. 

And point the thorn with mortal agony. 

War blushes at his glory, snaps his sword, 

Furls his proud banner, weds eternal peace. 

No more the_cruel greed despoils, insults 

The cry of suffering, and the widowed heart 

Pinches with frosty fingers of neglect ; 

But love is sovereign, and supremely binds 

The palace and the cottage, strong and weak, 

Whatever image in the wide world wears 

The superscription of humanity. 

In one fast bond of tender brotherhood. 

The lion and the lamb, as of one blood. 

Lie down together in one peaceful fold, 

And the child sports around the serpent's den. 



THE COURT OF THE WORLD. 1 99 

To peaceful plains the hostile mountains melt ; 
And where the surly walls once belched in flames 
Their thunderous hate, now friendly welcome sits 
•With wide-unfolded gates, upon whose crest 
No more the eagle, with his wings of war, 
And grasping talons, and ambitious eye, 
Sits the defiant emblem, but the dove, 
Fledged in the nest of peace. The gentler seas. 
From shore to shore, in honest commerce blend 
Fraternal interests, and the cordial hand. 
Across the ocean, with a bridge of heart. 
Makes highway of unselfish pilgrimage. 
All zones are temperate, every region pure 
From equitorial passions, polar frosts. 
Serene and interfused beneath that Sun, 
Whose gracious presence gives perennial good. 
One blissful circle, one enchanted clime. 
For now the Lord supreme supremely reigns 
In every mansion, and adoring gifts 
Daily the grateful earth reconsecrate. 
Till all is one great altar, one vast throne. 
Doubly the tithes are tithed, no object lacks; 
The full heart gives a flowing treasury : 
And alms, less needed, are the more bestowed, 
Till not a hearth but has its bounteous share, 
The plate of plenty, and the rich content. 



200 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

No vine is barren ; and the teeming fruit 
Is hallowed in its consecrated use, 
To each sufficient, and the whole to God. 
Jesus has triumphed; Satan fast in chains, 
And the celestial banners everywhere 
Floating in peace. Fulfilled is every word. 
The happy eardi millennial glory crowns, 
And heaven itself descends to dwell with men, 



BOOK IX. 
FINISHED. 



Prayer for illumination in the future mysteries. Death. The. convoy 
of angels. Farewell flight among the stars. Blessed welcome to Heaven. 
Instruction in celestial knowledge and duty. Heavenly occupation. In- 
terest stiil, and participation in earthly events. The advancing Kingdom 
of Christ. The millenial years. Satan, loose again for a last effort, is 
baffled. The second advent of Christ in glorious majest3\ The resurrec- 
tion of the dead, and transformation of the living. Earth in flames. The 
Last Judgment. The happy trial of the. righteous ; the reality far beyond 
the hope. Grace ever new and- wonderful. The wicked condemned, and 
with fiury plunge to their place. The Messiah, with. his greater hosts of the 
redeemed, ascendsdn triumph to Heaven. 



O Thou, who dost on chosen lips preside, 
Wisely to open, and thy will declare, 
Prophetic voices sounding to the soul 
To show the secrets of the hidden night. 
Direct me, as I seek to pierce the veil, 
And tell the wonders of the land beyond, 
The glory, and the everlasting dread : 
That not a thought, bewildered in the way, 
Thriftless of truth, attempt unworthily 

201 



26^ THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

The dizzy circuit of the heavens to tread, 
And bear a message to a mortal ear. 

Lo, the grim King ! He comes, he comes to raze 
The fleshly temple, that with fairer towers. 
Upon the farther shore, it may arise 
In beauty everlasting, nevermore 
To feel the tooth of time, the wracking storm, 
The fire of passion. Welcome to the stroke. 
The mortal birth-throe of eternal day 
Out of the night of time ! Thy grisly watch, 
O Death ! ushers the morn. God's messenger. 
My joy thou art, and all thy ghostly arms 
Shall not disturb my peace. The heavenly Will, 
That all things carries in his sovereign care, 
And guides the wafture of the darkest wing, 
Will not direct amiss. Ready to stay. 
The daily duties gladly to fulfil ; 
To the bright mansions ready to depart, 
And ever be with Christ : so would I go, 
With grace to greet thy coming, as fast friends, 
From sometime enemies, in close embrace 
Walk with accordant arms. Where now thy sting, 
Thou rude revenger of the broken law, 
With sin by Christ disarmed ? Where, where is now 
Thy victory, when thy great Conqueror 



FINISHED. 203 

Has hung thy bed with hope, and garlanded 

Thy gates with glory ? Come, with sudden stroke 

Appalling, in a moment shut my breath. 

And stop the cunning business of my blood ; 

Or take me gently in a blissful dream ; 

Or, night and day, my rueful body rack 

With pangs of dying years ; or on me bind 

The martyr's fiery crown ; still, still art thou 

My pioneer of glory, door of life. 

And conquered servant to my liberty. 

With Jesus, who thy darkest way has trod, 

My feet, if faithful in his living steps, 

Shall follow boldly through the mortal gates, 

To walk immortal in the streets of gold. 

See yon bright legion, like a sun, descend 
With golden wings and heavenly blazonry ! 
Hark, what etherial music ! richer than 
Earth with her richest voices ever sang. 
Celestial splendor ! like a gorgeous sea 
Floating the airy troop. The odorous wind, 
As wafted from the bloom of Paradise, 
Hums with angelic pinions, and around 
Swims everything in beauty. And I hear 
A voice so sweet, it passes human sound : 
" Come, O beloved ! with us come away, 



2 04 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

To join the happy choirs, the multitudes 
In bUss and glory by the throne of God/' 

A moment, and beyond the earthly form 
I stand unclothed and ready. And as when 
Her newborn child the eager mother clasps 
Exulting, so with rapturous love they greet 
My mortal birth, unite me to their train, 
Bosom in myrrh, and sweep like light away. 

Farewell, O beauteous orb ! that yonder hangs 
A jewel on the forehead of the night ; 
Where I have loved the mountain and the sea. 
The meadow, woodland, bird and flowery gem, 
Have wandered in the shadow^ and the sun. 
With joy and sorrow oft in company; - 
Farewell, but not for ever. Yet again. 
Out of the mighty presence, from the sphere 
Of bliss and sinless immortality, 
I come, unseen, to mingle in your scenes. 
In ministry of mercy. Kindred hearts ! 
In happy bands united, knit in love, 
Our fold a refuge from the weary world, 
A roof of quiet comfort, where content 
With frugal plenty smiled ; now, now at length. 
The heavy word, farewell. Be still, be still ! 



FINISHED. 205 

And with a grateful memory wipe your tears, 

And greet the will Divine. Farewell, O tent ! 

That goodly shelter gave me in the flesh ; 

Lie folden till the resurrection morn. 

Bright flowers along my pathway ! dead so soon, 

With secret sharpness fenced, farewell ; above. 

The fadeless wreaths, the thornless garlands grow 

Comrades of battle, fellowships of toil, 

Rough scenes of struggle, arms of righteousness ! 

Farewell for ever. Lo ! to heavenly rest 

I hasten, to angelic intercourse. 

And tented triumph on eternal hills. 

Storms, rude temptations, buffets, bitter tears. 

Night, terror, sin, all fearful things! farewell 

For peace unruffled, sinless, tearless joy, 

And all the dear beatitudes of God. 

O every one ! if any I have wronged, 

Or any me, forgive, as I forgive 

The bitterest word or act of injury ; 

Farewell, and with the fondly ardent hope 

We may embrace within the City, where 

Forgiveness in full splendor is enthroned. 

Farewell, Church of Christ ! in spirit still, 

Still with thee, with intenser sympathy, 

Though absent, or in viewless embassy - 

Out of the shining armies, I help on 



2o6 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Thy course of victory. All, all, farewell ! 
Away, away, at the celestial call, • 
With bright battalions, rapturously I fly ; 
Away, away, to everlasting life, 
The vision and the glory of the Lord. 

My farewell lingers, as if loth to leave 
The earthly object for the seraph song. 
And whispers lovingly millions of leagues 
Along the dizzy flight. Past fiery orbs. 
Past planets thronged with angels that respond 
In,chorus with our anthem, past the troops 
Of serving cherubim, past cloudy fiends 
That scowl like night on our triumphant port, 
Swifter than comet, than the lightning's wing,- 
In angel arms superbly charioted, 
With years in moments of their wisdom wise, 
With heavenly news and heavenly foretaste filled, 
And all the way one rapturous note of bliss, 
We reach the mural Mother, who throws wide. 
With welcome and exulting eagerness. 
Her warm embrace. The Golden City glows 
With splendor of the Lord, the light thereof, 
Attracting to its centre from the spheres 
Remotest the bright pinions, as a flame 
The wandering wings of night. And there they lay 



FINISHED. 207 

At those majestic feet their happy charge, 

Rewarded in the blissful privilege 

Humbly to serve, in lowly reverence bent, 

And bathe their spirits in the smile of God. 

Taught in the heavenly method, first of all, 

To every other thought and object blind, 

With grateful adoration, blissful love, 

Impassioned praise, the Lord God and the Lamb 

Lowly I worship ; with a tenfold heart 

As in miy bosom throbbing, to behold. 

In vision beatific, face to face. 

The King of glory in his majesty. 

The infinite smile is welcome ; rank on rank 

Sweetly respond ; heaven to its centre burns 

With rapture at another soul secure; 

While thrice ten thousand thousand harps anev/ 

Resound the greeting : " Welcome, welcome home ! 

From earthly wandering to the heavenly weal. 

From earthly crosses to the rich rew^ard. 

Welcome to these bright mansions, this estate 

Of love, of peace, of kingly fellowship. 

Our songs, our service, our unending bliss. 

Hail, brother ! here thy waiting harp receive. 

And join our joyous triumph. Conqueror, hail ! 

Thy crown awaits thee in the fadeless light. 

All blessing, honor, to thy worthy name, 



2o8 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

All praise, dominion, glory, Lamb of God 1 '^ 

And I in radiant vesture am arrayed, 
Bright as the morning, whiter than the snow, 
Sweeter than incense, as a happy bride 
For the glad season ; timidly at first. 
With the recoil and flush of modesty. 
In the prodigious presence. But not long, 
And the new home is as the home of years ; 
And, like a courtier with familiar grace, 
I mingle in the grand society, 
And fill my lips and hands with such sweet joy 
As only angels know. Lo ! Peter first 
With glowing promptness presses to impart 
Impassioned greeting ; and seraphic John, 
With his paternal, " Welcome, little child ! " 
And then, from all the condescending lips 
Of throned apostles, " Welcome, welcome ! " sounds 
Like a rich chime of glory. Prophets, kings, 
Saints, sages, martyrs, heroes, grasp my hand, 
And on my visage lay their sweet salute ; 
Greeting me, from their occupation bent, 
The least of all and lowest, honored so 
All for the Master's sake ; rejoicing proof, 
Pride has no place in heaven. And there I meet 
Once more the old familiar faces, still 



FINISHED. 209 

Featured the same, with added beauty rare, 

The comrades, kindred, neighbors, fellows, friends, 

Before me in die process of the skies, 

And press them with embraces such as earth 

With her cold arms knew never, and again, 

With memory long and rapturous review, 

Relive the years of time. And now from Paul 

Flows deep discourse, with wisdom radiant, 

With graphic utterance, and seraphic fire, 

And tenfold lustre of his eloquence, 

And inspiration at its very spring ; 

A new epistle to my eager soul. 

Deeply to sound the unfathomable sea 

Of God, redemption, and the mystery 

Of Christ discrowned a richer crown to win ; . 

With more interpretation in a word 

Than in a thousand burly messa^s 

Of earthly reason. Haply, in the rest 

And leisure of eternal day, beside 

My mother angel like a child I sit, 

So fair, so wise, so noble, now yet more 

By the rich years of heavenly residence ; 

In her endearments once again rejoice, 

And hear my consecration from the womb, 

Her prayerful shield, her guardian ministry, 

Through many a snare and perils manifold; 



210 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Drink from the crystal fountain of her lips 

Limpid instruction to my questioning, 

In the ripe lore of heaven, and have her guide 

My worship, wisdom, service, till my wing 

Is strong and swift with hers, and fearlessly 

Sweeps through the empyrean. Or afar, 

With studious troops, philosophers in light, 

Seraphic messengers, to distant worlds 

Wandering, or sweetly through delicious groves, 

Or by the river of immortal life. 

Or in the golden mansions, w^e revolve 

The works and wonders of the Almighty hand, 

Enraptured ; the effects of Providence, 

The sway of righteousness, the gifts of Grace, 

The marvellous story, and the ensanguined clew 

From Eden to the last sepulchred dust. 

Interpreting fhe nations at the Cross , 

The heavenly history from the primal dawn, 

And stars of morning, to the dark eclipse 

Of the rebellious angels, and the last 

Decree of uttered love. Or, with the harp, 

And song triumphant, lofty minstrelsy, 

Among the choirs cherubic, we unite 

The rapturous notes of hallelujah, like 

The voice of many waters, till resounds 

The mighty dome above, and distant spheres 



FINISHED. 21 J 

Roll back the echo of our jubilee. 

So bright, so glorious is celestial time ; 
The- heavenly work so hallowed, ages seem 
Like moments in the blissful holiness. 

The cycles hasten ; more and more the earth 
Rolls in the music of a holier song, 
Burns in the splendor of a purer light, 
Moves in the triumph of a braver truth. 
On to millennial glory. I a part 
Am still, and high commissions bear, and reap 
With heavenly sickle from the human years. 
Battles are yet, and martyr suffering, 
And cruel lies, and Satan's fiery rage ; 
So stubborn and so fearful is the clutch 
And dire tenacity of rooted wrong. 
But Christ, the Conqueror, more and more secures 
His promised triumph and his chariot wheels, 
In brighter majesty of truth and right. 
Roll with his throne. Out of his mouth a sword 
Goes sharply forth, resplendent with the edge 
Of judgment ; and his obdurate enemies. 
Cut to the quick, their wounded hearts lay down 
In love, or fall beneath his burning stroke, 
As leaves to ashes crumble in the flame. 
His sceptre brightens, with such majesty 



212 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Eclipses monarch s, as from the eastern gates 

Day the dun night ; and, as the cedar vast 

The brambles, so with broad, benignant sway 

Shelters the nations. Rulers, princes, kings. 

Submit their glory, and with graceful joy 

Yield their dominion to a higher lord, 

Or yield their signets to a worthier hand. 

The pagan hosts in swift submission fall. 

Burn up their idols, and with holy heat 

Curse the wild madness of the centuries. 

And mock the demons frantic to uphold 

The rod and terror of their vassalage. 

The Prophet false, in fury of his fate, 

Vainly attempts the glorious tide to stem, 

O'erwhelmed, and in the whirling progress plunged, 

His crescent splendor buried in the flood 

Of the advancing victory, as the sea 

Swallows the bubble, and then passes on. 

And that fell Tyranny, upon whose brow 

Of blasphemy the stolen diadem 

Of Heaven has rested all these ages long, 

In scarlet blaze of pride and insolence. 

Throttling .aspiring nations, piling high 

Rude mountains on the breast of liberty, 

Obstructing light, compelling ignorance, 

Deceiving with her cunning enginery 



FINISHED. 213 

Of pomp and error, with her sorceries 

Enticing to her hideous lap of shame, 
Red_ to the reeking lips with martyr blood, 
Now with avenging lightning smitten lies, 
Her smoke ascending, vain her bitter wail. 
And all the millions of her long deceived 
Awaking from their stupor to the arms 
And banners of defiance. More and more 
The scroll of prophecy its page fulfils. 
Irradiant triumph more and more surmounts 
The hills, and weaker, weaker grow the wings 
Of darkness, till the promised day has come. 
And, lo, the earth is Zion ! zone to zone 
A holy temple, every wind a song, 
An anthem every sea, the continents 
One altar, every vale and mountain praise. 
And every isle devotion. All the air. 
Balmy with breezes of celestial breath. 
Floats gently as a summer eventide ; 
And fruitfully the generous sun looks down 
Tenfold in harvest. Love at last is throned 
In full dominion to the utmost bound. 
The happy planet runs her shining way, 
And bravely bears her glittering fires afar. 
Not sinless, but with such effulgent grace, 
More like a sun, the suns themselves confess 



214 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Her fellowship of glory with their .gleam, 

And yield her homage 'through the fields of heaven. 

And often, then, with scarce a change of air. 
In journey curious, or swift embassy 
Of blessing, visit I the haunts of men. 
City and field, the quiet paths of peace. 
The thundering passages, the crowded marts, 
Testing the living temper of the world, 
And everywhere, on everything, behold 
The staijip of holiness ; upon the face, 
The pen, apparel, coin, cups, implements, 
On every law, art, science, industry. 
The bar of justice, and the rod of state. 
For every throne is emptied for the Lord, 
The palace lowly, and the commerce clean, 
The temples filled with meek sincerity. 
And every cottage with contentedness : 
While thus in glory roll the thousand years, - 
Till heaven is full, and Jesus satisfied. 

Then, by some deep expedient mystery, 
The Devil, from his fetters burning hot. 
Rages to resubdue his empire, fill 
The earth anew with sorrow, sin and death, 
And reassert his banner : well aware 



finished: 2 1 

His hour is short. Like a tornado fell, 

Through fields of verdant splendor, sweeping up 

Spoil in terrific harvest, and behind 

Leaving a track of ravage, and again, 

Ere one can wonder, plunging to the deep ; 

So, through the lands millennial, vengefully 

Satan with fury springs, and gathers up 

The relics of corruption, seething still 

Under the hallowed glory, and arrays 

Against the City and the saintly camp 

A mighty host embattled. High and fierce 

The infernal engines bellow, and around 

Long lines of hate and fiery violence 

Batter the bastions, thunder at the gates, 

Poison the fountains, and with blustering ire 

Defy the Power supernal. Once again 

Earth seems to reel, as ready to renew 

Allegiance to the cursed tyranny. 

Her holy splendor quench before the night. 

Roll back the golden ages, and begin. 

Anew and worse, her wild career of shame; 

Proof still, and stronger, for eternal force. 

How impotent are undefended hearts. 

Open to Hell, against the wiles of sin. 

Ohly a moment ; and the sudden shock, 

Threatening the very heavens, as suddenly 



2l6 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Is swallowed in the surge of victory. 

For Christ is King, and from his magazines 

Of judgment, stored with blazing thunderbolts, 

Rains hot destruction on the surly top 

Of this ambition, and consumes the host, 

As tender blossoms wither in the blast. 

And, as an earthquake with determined ire 

"Shakes the strong city, and would overthrow 

The steady structures of its massiveness ; 

Defeated, slinks into his caves again. 

And eats his anger in his native fires : 

So back the thwarted Dragon to his den 

In sullen madness rages, evermore 

To fret in fury of his impotence. 

Thus ends this last eruption, with the end 

And consummation of all history ; 

Satan forever to his fetters cast, 

Messiah in eternal glory crowned. 

Now there is mustering in the heavens, the stir 
Of mighty preparation. From his throne. 
The Son of God, in full effulgence clad 
Of justice kindling to its holy work. 
Orders the glorious morn ; while from afar 
Bright legions hasten, host on glittering host, 
To swell the triumph of his coming, now 



FINISHED. 217 

In flaming fire for judgment, and to be 
In all his saints admired and glorified. 
The universe with wonder, like a child 
Aroused upon the fearful watch of night, 
In breathless awe is hushed ; as, with a shout, 
The voice of the archangel, and the trum^D, 
Rolling its peal a thousand thunders deep. 
Startling the worlds, the dead, the dark abyss. 
The Lord himself descends, upon his throne 
In glittering brightness flaming, like a sun; 
Upon the wings magnificently borne 
Of mighty cherubim ; divinely orbed 
With hosts resplendent, numberless as never 
In mortal ranks an earthly concjueror led ; 
In splendor of unclouded majesty ; 
With final banner to the war with death, 
Awake the graves, the gathered nations judge. 
Like lightning, on a calm and noiseless night, 
Flashing its sudden fire, from every lid 
The drowsy slumber startling ; so he bursts. 
With sharp arrest of every living eye, 
In unexpected glory from the clouds. 
It is the high and dread magnificence, 
A hundred-fold, of Sinai's fearful awe. 
Descending through the air. Nor now alone 
The earth is shaken, but the utmost heaven ; 



1 8 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And hell, with banners drooped and curses mute, 

In terror trembles through its caves of gloom. 

Arched with the flaming sky, and far as sight 

Girt with the glittering armies, host oq host, 

Upon a pavement of resplendent cloud, 

Himself essential Glory radiant, 

Before v/hose face flee all the worlds away 

And find no refuge, staying in mid-air. 

From the v/hite splendor of his dazzling throne, 

The judgment hour proclaiming, the great King 

The dead and living summons to his seat. 

Earth hears ; and, lo ! the very utmost grave 
Stirs with the yielding of reluctant death. 
Ages of sleep awake ; the righteous first. 
As used already to obey their Lord. 
They come, they come, the countless swarms of life. 
Nation on nation thronging, age on age. 
From saintly tombs and pagan sepulchres ; 
From mausoleum, crypt and catacomb ; 
From mounds ignoble, pompous monuments ; 
From aged ashes, coffined infancy, 
The ancient cerements, the yester grave, 
Scarce dry of tears, bright with unwithered flowers ; 
From the dear dust beneath the quiet shade 
And beauty of the leafy firmament ; 



FINISHED.' 219 

From fields of carnage, battened with the blood 
Of grappling multitudes, and peaceful vales. 
Where war's rough hoof ne'er bruised a violet ; 
From polar ices and imprisoning rocks. 
Now impotent as air to hold their prey ; 
From all the seas, as countless as their drops ; 
From all the lands, as if the general ground 
Were teeming with a »quick humanity : 
Celestial bodies, and the mortal now 
Clothed in the immortality of light, 
The soul revested for eternity. 
Up, up they sweep, as when the feathery flocks, 
In trim battalions, from the startled fields. 
Upon their brilliant plumes pour numberless. 
Darkening the sun; each spirit with his own, 
Without mistake, as birds, instinct with God, 
From summer climes again unerringly 
To their old haunts return ; now nevermore 
Winter to know, if sin no more is known : 
Witli all the living, from the quartered world, 
Out of the myriad cities and the lands 
Burdened with population, at the trump 
Changed to the shape immortal, brightly clothed 
Without the dark disrobing, disenthralled 
From mortal peril by one stroke of life ; 
Translated, with Elijah in the van, 



2 20 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And elder Enoch, beautiful and .grand 
With ages of the skies ; aloft caught up, 
With eager some, some with reluctant wing, 
The Lord to meet, and his assembled court, 
Upon the cloudy floor : till all are there. 
From the first father to the latest birth, 
A multitude which only God can know. 
And last, the infernal prisoners, angels once, 
Reserved in darkness to this direful day. 
In stormy fury surging, from their chains 
Throng with reluctant terror to the throne, 
Which their fierce Captain vainly sought to foil 
Now a sad captive, like a shackled king. 
Writhing in passion, racked with grim despair. 
Seamed with the lightning, his rebellious art 
Making him first in woe, as first in sin ; 
A spectacle so piteous all the heavens 
Rain drops compassionate, from which the Sun 
Gathers his bright bow, and across the clouds 
Bends in the beauty of his holiness. 

And now a glance of the consuming Eye, 
In judgment flashing on the sullied globe, 
Kindles the purging flame. The elements, 
Impatient, from their fetters leap, and play 
In a wild freedom; and the startled stars 



FINISHED. 221 

Hide in the lurid glory. With a crash 

The burning heavens dissolve, and like a scroll 

Are wr-apped away. The hot, tertific war 

Triumphantly through everv^ climate sweeps 

With blazing banners, charioted in flame. 

Armed with the lightning, and the very deep 

With greed insatiate gorging. Fire is king, 

And, like a god, his pleasure executes. 

The mountains melt, in flaming torrents flow; 

Continents are volcanoes, and afar 

The weltering ocean burns. Earth retches deep, 

xA.nd spurts the molten centre to the stars ; 

Infernal billows rolling, sea on sea, 

A fiery deluge, till the planet boils 

With all the dire combustion of its birth. 

From pole to pole a seething globe of wrath ; 

Like a new hell enkindled, to express 

The fate and fury of unrighteousness. 

Gone, gone for ever, all the old renown. 
Each feature and familiar circumstance. 
Gone the fair face of Nature, every plant. 
Blossom, beast, forest, mountain, murmuring flood, 
That decked the beauteous range of her domain, 
The desert, and the illimitable sea; 
The pride of human prowess, storied fields, 



222 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Scenes whose heroic deeds can never die ; 

The tracks of ravage, theatres of crime; 

The myriad homes and temples, hallowed ground, 

With love and tears and labor consecrate; 

Aspiring piles, imperial palaces, 

The domes of splendor, haughty monuments. 

With every lowly roof, or haunt of shame ; 

The countless shapes of use and luxury. 

Machines of service,, instruments of guilt, 

The red-mouthed cannon, and the fluttering flag ; 

The flying wheels, the thundering enginery. 

And all the white-winged squadrons of the deep ; 

Marvels in marble, beauteous feats of art, 

x\nd hords of teeming science ; libraries, 

Vv'ith precious wisdom of the ages fraught. 

Nor ever lost, translated in the souls 

Ennobled in their love ; the Scriptures, now 

In every tongue infolded, rising like 

A cloud of incense to their source again ; 

The glorious Land, the dear Jerusalem, 

The Lake, the Mount, the Garden, Calvary, 

With every holy and remembered spot. 

Wrapped in the burning mantle ; that the earth, 

And everything by sin touched and defiled, 

May from the direful taint be purified, 

And in the fiery process be dissolved, 



FINISHED. 223 

Again to rise in forms of nobler state 
And beauty for the home of righteousness. 

Rage, conflagration dread and glorious ! 
Type of the turmoil in the soul of sin, 
With lust aflame, and burning evermore ; 
Rage thy content of judgment, purify 
With thy consuming fires, and make the earth 
A universal altar, fair and fit 
For a pure, spotless worship. On a cloud. 
Securely sitting in the gracious smile. 
Without a fear I watch the fearful scene ; 
And that, whose very thought once stirred dismay, 
Now^, in the open vision, but appears 
Resplendent with the majesty of God, 
Correcting for the chorus of his throne. 

Thus ready, every eye and every ear 
Awake and eager, nevermore to sleep ; 
The Son of God from suffering lowliness 
Exalted to his place, in aspect high 
Of judgment, terrible or glorious, 
As every creature sees his destiny, 
In conscious heart, reflected in that face. 
Centre and sun of all ; the great hour strikes, 
With open books and infinite knowledge armed, 



224 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And probe of piercing light : the .Book of Life, 

Written, with love's eternal signature, 

Full to the edges with immortal names, 

For ever by the crimson signet safe ; 

The Book of Knowledge, like a sky at noon 

Spread wide and clear, and leaf by leaf along 

Turned by the swift archangel. Truth itself 

The unerring record reads ; while memory. 

With Atlantean shoulders, bears a world 

In the huge continent of human years, 

Nor leaves a thought behind. The very soul 

Is written history of its teeming life ; 

The subtlest tracings, by the blazing throne, 

Brought to clear vision, as by chemic fire 

The dark inscription. Shadows fill their form. 

The ages struggle to reveal themselves. 

And centuries rush in moments. In the press 

Of that tremendous vintage lives gush out, 

And the swift goblet foams. It may be wrath. 

It may be mercy ; but the millions drink. 

Each as his hand has mingled. Nothing lurks. 

The closest secret has a trumpet now ; 

The heart is housetop, and the midnight day. 

No closet more, no veil, no covered hand, 

But the bare gaze of unobstructed light ; 

Light, whose keen scrutiny now gathers up 



FINISHED. 12 

A lifetime in a glance, and satisfies 
Impartial justice. One by one, to all 
Is melted out eternal recompense 
For wrong, or mercy to the merciful, 
Reward of lowly service, sanctified 
By the red-handed rescue of the Cross; 
With faith the sign, with love the crowning test, 
And Christ the gracious pattern and the power. 

And now expressly bends the Eye Divine, 
Sharp in its fire of holiness, on me, 
A mote amid the thronging multitudes. 
And in that glance, as by the gleaming noon 
The landscape opens, valleys are revealed. 
And thickets show their shadows, so appears 
My life as in a vision. Thoughts and deeds 
Flash in swift legions, till, from furlough long 
Of sleep and leisure of forgetfulness. 
Each one is present, Uke a soldier true 
To the tart trumpet, and the field is full. 
My days come thronging, like to teeming years, 
So grown their trifles to their just import. 
Crowding the startled vision, clearer seen 
Than in the vivid freshness of their prime, 
A thousand yesterdays in one to-day. 
And each bad moment heavier than a life 



2 26 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Weighed in the partial scales of earthly love ; 
With every purpose, as perspicuous 
As its achievement, gathered like a fist, 
To smite me with the buffet terrible. 
From long-forgotten tombs awake and rise, 
In ghastly troops, myriads of mortal sins, 
And at my soul their deadly charges hurl. 
If I dare answer in the face of Heaven ; 
While every purest feeling, motive, thought. 
Is soiled with sin, and nothing boldly stands 
Irradiant in a spotless holiness. 
Guilt, like an ocean, threatens to engulf ; 
Whose vile, perturbed, infected drops, in God's 
Disclosing glass, show like a sea, to depths 
Unfathomable leading down, with fierce 
And frightful monsters filled. Yet I rejoice, 
With hope and love, like birds of early morn 
At their melodious matins, singing sweet 
As holy angels in my happy heart, 
Quiring the rich beatitudes of bliss; 
Rejoice, for in that piercing look divine 
I'm not consumed, but quickened like a coal 
Responsive to the breath, in brighter glow 
Of unconsuming and immortal fire ; 
The burden and the terror long ago 
In the deep bosom buried of that Grace, 



FINISHED^ 227 

Whose loving hand, with crimson signet armed, 
To glorious life broke my captivity. 

Along the ranks the piercing judgment flies 
With fearful decimation, culling out 
The wicked from the righteous, till they stand 
Two separate armies of eternity, 
No more to mingle, no more to be changed ; 
Each with the clear seal of his destiny. 
In dreadful apprehension, or with hope 
Bathing his visage with its blessed light*, 
Probation ended, and the wheels of tune 
Brought finally to their appointed goal, 
Now at the gates eternal to discharge 
Their burden, so to lie for evenPxore ; 
The hovering angels vocal with acclaim. 
And with her work triumphant grace content; 
With not one promise broken, not a soul 
Lost from the long election, not a wrong 
To stain the stroke of justice, not a throb 
Of love in vain, nor sigh of suffering 
Amiss in its benignant agony. 

Now, on the right hand, humbly wondering, we 
Receive our blissful sentence, thus addressed. 
With less or larger meaning, as though each 



2 2?? THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Heard but the single voice to him alone, 

In sovereign tones, unutterably sweet. 

Itself a recompense greater than worlds. 

Giving to all, as able to receive, 

In endless variation, still the same, 

One heaven, one welcome, one divine reward : 

"Come, blessed of my Father! now receive 

The kuigly heritage, for you prepared 

Before the world was founded. For ye have 

Fed me ahungered; thirsty, given me drink; 

A stranger, entertained ; naked, have clothed ; 

Sick and in prison, to me ministered : 

To me, if but to one the least of mine. 

In the dark \yorld ye did confess me; now. 

Before n^iy Father, and the angels bright. 

Freely confess I you. Faithful in few. 

Henceforth I .make you over many things 

Rulers for ever. Ye have overcome. 

Nor fainted in the perilous weary way. 

Enduring to the end. Enter my joy, 

And walk with me in white. The morning star 

I give you, and the victor's fadeless crown. 

The hidden manna, and the precious stone 

In beauty graven with my secret name. 

No sorrow more, no hunger, suffering, sin, 

But bliss and glory with me in my throne 



FINISHED. . 229 

For ever, in the paradise of God/* 

O knowledge new, and ever newer still, 
The alder grown, and growing endlessly! 
Known well before, it was but ignorance 
To this reality from lips Divine. 
O wondrous answer to my sinfulness ! 
Yes, born of God, by sovereign power upheld. 
Under the mighty wing of love, I stand 
Enrobed in mercy, cleansed from every tinct 
Of sin's rude mastery, while beyond my guilt 
The benediction falls. My wayward soul, 
Once like a planet wandering from its sphere, 
Dark with eclipse, lo ! now the glorious Sun 
Floods with his beams, and all the night is day: 
Day at the judgment, day without a cloud, 
A day of joy and blessing without end 
In the full radiance of the infinite face, 
Whose gracious smile, with heaven in every ray, 
Lights the sweet word of welcome from the throne 

And now the sentence stern, with aspect sad, 
That brightens more the brightness of the throne, 
Thus the tumultuous crew of hate and wrong 
Judges : " Depart, ye cursed ! to the fire ■ 
Eternal, for the rebel hosts prepared ; 



;^0 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

And make your bed with burnings, where the worm 

Dies never, and the flame is never quenched. 

For to my hunger never gave ye meat, 

Nor water to my thirst ; my nakedness 

Did never clothe ; a stranger, entertain, 

Nor visit me, sick, captive, desolate, 

Bound with my brethren in their weary bonds. 

I never knew you ; never had your faith. 

Your faithful service. What was all to me, 

Your lips of worshipj and your hostile lives, 

Your vain oblations, empty, perjured prayers, 

Reluctant honor, heartless sacrifice ? 

I never knew you. Ye have been ashamed 

Of me, and of my word, my work, my cross. 

Within the wicked and adulterous time ; 

And now, before the angels and the heavens, 

In glory throned, I am ashamed of you. 

Depart, ye workers of iniquity ! " 

He ceases ; and a moment silence reigns, 
Silence so solemn and so still, as if 
Life quailed in every bosom, overwhelmed 
With pressure of the terror. But as when, 
In the old rage of battle on the earth. 
The deadly charge is ordered, and the ranks, 
An instant wavering, then with bursting shouts 



FINISHED.- 231 

Of desperate fury to the onset pour; 

So, for a moment still, the hosts condemned 

With howl terrific take the dread award. 

And break in wrath against the throne, like waves 

Against the steadfast rock, muttering revenge, 

Or pleading the injustice of their fate. 

In vain ; for all their pleas of insolence. 

The haughty scowl, the burst of blasphemy, 

The very hell in their uncovered hearts. 

In hot rebellion seething to the face 

And challenge of eternal Majesty, 

Confirm the judgment of their banishment, 

And show the everlasting sentence just. 

"Just," shout the angels, and with fervid voice 

Still utter hallelujah. All the heavens. 

To the remotest star, in harmony 

Re-echo, "Just." And the abhorred abyss. 

In rugged sympathy with righteousness, 

Opening its hideous arms to fold them in, 

With every tongue of torture mutters, "Just." 

And the sad host plunge to their dread reward. 

Glad to escape the burning Holiness, 

Never escaped, nor conscience, nor themselves ; 

With Satan in the horrid van of woe, 

Defiant, pent and stifled to the gasp 

With the ineffectual fever of his rage, 



232 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Tortured with memory, riddled with remorse, 

Racked with the untamed tempest of his will, 

Tossed on the spears of passion, lapped in wrath, 

Seething in rancor, and his willing crew, 

To the grim features of his infamy. 

Training in endless sin; so of themselves 

Still, in the confirmation of their law. 

To deeper darkness sinking, fiercer dread, 

More bitter, sharp, consuming agony, 

In utter hopelessness, while ages roll. 

But the redeemed, in greater millions, past 
The rich arithmetic of hope, with shouts. 
With garlands, banners and triumphal songs, 
Mount to the heavenly mansions and reward, 
Unwearied service, ecstasy of bliss. 
And hallelujahs of eternal praise. 
High in the van the mighty Conqueror rides, 
In radiance of renown, bright majesty. 
On his cherubic throne, leading the hosts 
Of his victorious grace, in golden chains, 
Captive to his benignant empery : 
In such procession of imperial pomp 
As hitherto saw ne\'er heaven itself ; 
Outshining, in the lustre of his crowns, 
The gorgeous glories of a thousand kings ; 



FINISHED. 233 

Through the high spaces sweeping, like the sun 

From the clear gates of morning, every tongue 

Loud with his praise. In glowing ranks around 

Angelic multitudes compass the way, 

And pave his progress with their rings of power ; 

Thrones bend in homage ; suns their visage veil ; 

The throbbing empyrean jubilant 

Resounds with pealing peans ; from afar 

The utmost orb and blazing sentinel 

Pours in responsive honor ; earth beneath 

Swells the ascending chorus ; heaven throws wide 

The massy welcome of her golden gates : 

As thus he comes, triumphant Son of God, 

Messiah, Saviour, Mediator, Lord, 

Girt with the starry millions of his grace. 

His mediation over, all to lay 

Beneath the throne, that God may over all 

Reign in eternal glory of his love. 



BOOK X. 
HALLELUJAH. 



A call to all created things, all beings blessed, on earth and in Heaven, 
to praise the Lord for his redemption. A Song of Praise. Conclusion. 



O voices of supernal melody, 
Choirs of angelic art, seraphic thrones ; 
Chorus of nations, every mortal tongue, 
And stubborn things unused to thankfulness, 
Redeemed, or waiting for the promised day 
Of full redemption with the sons of God ; 
All, through creation's boundless amplitude ! 
Lift the glad song, in notes triumphant pour 
The impassioned homage of your gratitude. 
Till every sphere with hallelujah ring, 
And entertain the Eternal King with praise. 

Praise Him, ye mountains! on whose beetling 
crags 

234 



HALLELUJAH. 235 

Nestle the eagles, peering for their prey ; 

Where from the clouds of thunder tempests bind 

Their- brows with terror, and the sullen snows 

With cold caressing lap the traveler ; 

Or where the molten entrails vomit fire 

In furious miniature of final doom. 

In higher grandeur yet will you arise, 

Under a fairer sky, a calmer clime, 

Bright pillars of the sun ; your radiant brows, 

Disarmed of every weapon of dismay. 

The purple pavement of angelic feet, 

With sovereign peace on every peak enthroned. 

Praise Him, ye hills ! upon w^hose secret top. 
Till stealthy night, the sons of blood have lurked, 
And altars reeked with cruel sacrifice. 
And hunted virtue cowered, and eager flames 
Shot their alarm of danger to the land ; 
Or frowning castles, ramparted in rock. 
Hurled fierce defiance from their battlements. 
On all your summits yet will banners float 
Of truth and mercy, herald anthems sing, 
The sacred turret rise, and starr\' tower 
To open heaven, and show the way of worlds 
In dazzling splendor to the throne of God. 



236 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Praise Him, ye streams ! that have with carnage 
run, 
Floated the thunderous and distempered keels, 
Walled with a hostile current, overwhelmed 
With sudden and impetuous rush of death. 
Or fed the ungrateful harvests. Ye will yet, 
Cleansed in the baptism of the holy cloud. 
With limpid waters flow, serenely bear 
Unsullied commerce, and sweet concord make 
With the melodious beauty of your banks ; 
Nursing the grateful roots of plenteous good. 
Like rivers of the primal paradise. 

Praise Him, ye fields ! where mad ambition has 
Won the dread crown of battle, or the lash 
Expressed its bloody vintage, and the toil 
Of selfishness so often garnered gain 
To mock the messages of charity. 
Yet will your roods with cannon nevermore 
Be plowed, but with the peaceful implements ; 
Nor tilled by slavish hands, or slavish hearts. 
But with a holy culture ; so to fill 
The poorest with abundance, and the rich 
Without a surfeit, by an overflow 
Untainted in the stagnant pool of greed. 



HALLELUJAd. 237 

Praise Him, ye forests ! in whose dismal depths, 
And grim retreats of sullen mystery, 
The savage roams, and wild beasts raven ; where 
Fell pillage skulks, and murder hides his blood, 
And fretful tempests in distemper roar, 
Or fiery riot leaps from limb to limb 
With its consuming terror. Ail your aisles 
Will yet with worship ring; your columns rear 
Their firmament of shade to roof the ways 
Of virtue and delight ; your branches sing 
Enchanting welcome to the gentle winds, 
With every leaf a hymn, and every bird 
A feathery warble of melodious joy. 



Praise Him, ye deserts! where the scorchin 
beams 
Bum desolation, and siroccos play 
In fury on the sandy barrenness. 
And only death is your rich harvester. 
Yet will your rivers run, your blossoms bend 
Their sweet lips to the bee, your garners groan, 
And fertile splendor decorate your sands, 
Till paradise displace the wilderness. 



Praise Him, thou ocean ! where tornadoes plough 
Furrows of ruin, and rapacious winds 



238 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Riot in ravage, and the keels of war 

Vex the tired waters, and the rocky cliffs 

Boom with the thunder of thy petulance. 

Yet will the jocund breezes only dance 

Thy .waves, and safely waft the prows of peace; 

Thy weltering flood no more a sepulchre 

Of horror to the human bubbles cast 

Upon thy bosom in their helplessness, 

But in the quiet mirror of thy face 

Angels will float, and the fair heavens appear 

Without a resurrection in the deep. 

Praise Him, ye islands ! in convulsion born, 
Or of the myriad builders, tomb on tomb, 
A fleet of beauty, anchored in the rough. 
Disorder of the fluent wilderness. 
Laden with rank luxuriance, and its pest, . 
The luxury of pernicious idleness ; 
Where torrid passions, gorging human prc}^. 
In hot debauch of lust and cruelty. 
Have shamed the glory of your tropic grace. 
Yet will ye gem the waves, like bits of heaven 
Upon the peaceful bosom of the deep, 
With living gleam of truth and righteousness. 
And, like the stars on the still azure, float 
In the blue splendor of the tranquil sea. 



HALLELUJAH. 239 

Praise Him, O sun and moon 1 with every orb 
That sparkles in the spaces infinite, 
The Throne encircling with your lustrous pomp, 
That all these ages long, through storm and night, 
And rifts of weeping clouds, have gazed upon 
This lurid theatre of human woe. 
This battle-planet of the right and wrong. 
Renewed, and featured with a fairer grace 
Than on creation's morning, it will yet. 
Out of this turmoil and eclipse, arise 
In glorious mould, in spotless garniture. 
To mingle in your shining company, 
Mate in magnificence, of brighter fame. 

Praise Him, ye souls immortal ! to whose worth 
The fleet of worlds is as the flying dust ; 
Thou living, teeming round of human years 
From the crude cradle to the mellow tomb ! 
Children ! in budding freshness of your prime, 
Unnursed in guile, unpampered in desire, 
The blessed promise of the happy home : 
Youth ! in your might, or maiden loveliness, 
With strength and beauty on the altar laid. 
And life before you opening like a day 
Of fair fruition of your golden dreams : 
Manhood ! upon the rugged way, oppressed 



2.^0 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With the stern load of duty, bearing up 
The pillars and the massy circumstance, 
Or struggling in the battle, in defeat 
Yet nobler than in victory, with your eye 
Upon the glorious issue, and reward 
Of welcome to the faithful servitor : 
Age ! on the silvery summit, face to face 
With the opening gates of everlasting day, 
With rounded honor, embassy complete, 1 
And garner full ; or, like a warrior worn, 
With battered armor, and unflinching heart. 
And patience pictured in the shining face. 
Waiting the summons to the eternal camp 
Upon the blissful hills, ready to fold 
The trembling tabernacle for the sky. 
Hearing already voices from afar. 
And almost, on thy forehead, feeling now 
The noble pressure of the coming crown. 

Praise Him, ye favorites of felicity ! 
Compassed with fortune, wedded to success. 
And lay your triumphs to his ruling love. 
That your thanksgiving may its measure take 
From sovereign bounty, and your faithful heart 
Keep tune with good divine. And ye forlorn ! 
With drink of tears, and life a daily frown 



HALLELUJAH. 241 

Of disappointment and defeated hopes, 

With withered blossoms, sable finery, 

The aching burden, and the pitiless storm 

Pelting the couching remnants of delight, 

Oh, praise him still, your damage counting gain, 

Your buffets bliss, disaster victory , 

That Vvith sublimer sufferance ye endure, 

And know the luxury of the fretful care 

Cast on the heavenly promise, and the sweet 

Release of sorrow in a higher joy. 

Praise Him, ye sons of virtue ! whose bright 
arms 
Have fenced the blackest legions from your breast. 
And barred the ruin, but whose castle yet. 
In lordly pride and luxury of self. 
Was never held and managed for its King, 
Till he, of his great right possession took, 
Transfused to his your bars of righteousness. 
And your fair walls transfigured in his love : 
And ye ! whose gates were ever open wide 
To all the waiting forces of desire, 
The mad rebellion, rancor, surfeit, lust. 
And riot of atrocious revelry. 
Till he, the rightful Lord, with stress of grace. 
Broke the hard yoke of your oppression, flung 



242 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

His crimson banner from your conquered towers, 
And filled your throne with nobler majesty. 

Praise Him, ye kings ! weary of hollow pomp, 
The sport of armies, and the harlot fame. 
And baubles of the diadem and sword. 
And stormy bluster of authority ; 
The higher thrones, with heavenly splendor rich, 
And royalty of everlasting rule, 
All ready to your gentle sway of peace, 
Impartial justice, courage for the right, 
And loyal service of your godly arms : 
And ye ! who know the iron tread of wrong, 
The grinding yoke, the stigma of the lash, 
The sting of insolence, the biting fear, 
And all the slavish enginery ; whose seats 
Of vast dominion are prepared, to hold • 
Your virtuous triumph, heroes of defeat, 
And royal conquerors of captivity. 

Praise Him, O all ye nations ! ye who fill 
By skillful culture with luxuriance 
The favored regions, where the planted truth 
Has ripened in your prosperous enterprise, 
Your schools, your churches, charities of love, 
Peace, and goodwill, adorning gloriously, 



HALLELUJAH. 243 

Like starry brilliants on the brow of night, 
Despite the mists of rank unrighteousness, 
The lurid face of earth : and ye ! where war 
With hot throat belches ruin, and gaunt death 
Of hapless tribes makes reckless sacrifice, 
Shipping by myriads to the fatal shore 
In commerce of perdition ; or the grim 
Pall of thick darkness, an Egyptian shroud. 
Wraps the dead living in entombing night. 
The burial of a senseless apathy. 
Or gloomy superstition. Now aloft 
Advance your loyal ensigns ; mollify 
Your stormy climate with the air of heaven; 
Accept the bright dominion, safe beneath 
The holy sceptre and the peaceful wing 
Of the extended mercy, till the world. 
To every corner, bold in righteousness. 
Restore to God its wandering heart, upbuild 
His injured throne again, and, like the deep 
Voice of the many waters, one full song 
Pour forth forever in majestic praise. 

Praise Him, O Time ! from thy obscurest spring 
To the full ocean, on whose stormy flood . 
Empires have floated, and like bubbles passed 
Into the thick air of oblivion. 



244 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Yet bearing still the ark of precious hope 

Ever in safety, every wave a plan, 

And every drop a purpose to advance 

The buoyant glory to its destined shore. 

And thou. Eternity! whose swelling tide, 

Without an ebb, without a strand, rolls on 

Through the vast reaches of unending years, 

Wrapped in the mists of aw^ful mystery ; 

The glass of Deity, the worthy scope 

Of Heaven's immortal mercy, the ample range 

For every aim and venturous thought divine, 

The fittest field of harvest in the full 

Unfolding of the incarnate, gracious bud 

To the consummate fruit, whose blessings rich 

Uncounted myriads bless ; sound, sound his praise. 

Nor let a flying moment voiceless pass 

In melody of glory to his name. 

Praise Him, ye hosts on high ! seraphic fires, 
Dominions, princedoms, hierarchies bright, 
Powers of supernal wing: angels! who have 
The ages long with eager vision peered 
Into the unfathomed mystery, every ray 
And feeblest sparkle studied like a sun : 
Ye morning stars ! who sang the birth of worlds ; 
More sweetly yet the Birth more wonderful 



HALLELUJAH, 245 

In human form, whose breath with being filled 

The azure wilderness : cherubic shapes ! 

That -on your mighty pinions, like the light. 

Carry the sovereign will, and messages 

Of purport everlasting : living wheels ! 

That, high and dreadful, on your firmament 

Of crystal bear afar the sapphire throne 

In providence of mercy, or the swift 

Awards of judgment : prophets ! whose rich voice, 

With present comfort fraught, with future fate, 

And ages of unrolling history. 

Dropped light and w^arning on the stubborn lands, 

Till face to face with prophecy itself 

At its full spring : apostles ! messengers 

Undaunted, favored with the intimate 

Communion in the flesh, more richly yet. 

Upon your thrones of glory, with the high 

Ascended fellowship Divine, above 

The stature of archangels : martyrs ! ye 

Who in your faith's great testimony faced 

The sword, the flame, the bitter rage of hell. 

Till rapt in bloody honor, leaving still 

Your crimson seed of sacrifice behind, 

To spring afresh for ages : warriors ! who 

The embattled bulwarks held, and never shrank 

For the black banner ; victors in your fall ; 



246 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

With crowns of peace, with palms of victory, 
Encamped forever in your tents of light : 
Heroes of patience ! who on weary beds, 
Above the fiery battle, won the slow 
Conflict with suffering, and the more exult 
Now in the comfort of your painless rest, 
And revel of unhampered happiness : 
Toilers! who have the island and the main 
Tilled with the seed of mercy, deserts wrought 
To fruitful plenty, and now gloriously 
Garner your toil above : ye tempted ! who 
With surly passion fought the bitter fight, 
And bravely met the rough, revengeful brunts 
Of Satan and the world ; often cast down ; 
More often in almighty arms immured, 
Till from the war of life to safety borne 
Within celestial ramparts. All ye bands ! 
Rejoicing millions ! squadrons glorious! 
Ages on ages mustering, countless throngs 
Of population in the starry streets. 
In beauty of supernal graces clad, 
With tongues of fire, and sounding instruments, 
And thunder of your blessed revelry, 
All, all, adore Him, magnify his name. 
And to your ocean, the Eternal Ear, 
Pour the melodious rivers of your praise. 



HALLELUJAH, 247 

" Father almighty ! Fountain of all good, 
Sun of all light, Throne of all government, 
The ~Sum of blessing. Love ineffable : 
Eternally the thought of mercy filled 
The counsels of thy wisdom, to redeem . 
The coming ruin, and the heavenly hosts 
Augment with ransomed millions, heavenly songs 
Swell with the rapture of forgiven tongues. 
And heavenly thrones adorn with earthly kings. 
Not in creation, not in glittering worlds, 
Not in the seraph multitude of wings. 
Thy glory most was opened, and thy plan 
Of amplest nature and consummate love ; 
But in the mission of thy clemency, 
When, in the fulness of the promised hour, 
Thy filial Image took the great command 
Of mercy, hastened from his regal place. 
And low descended to the haunts of men. 
To bear the lost, in everlasting arms, 
Back to the covert of the heavenly fold. 
We praise thee, faithful, true, compassionate 
To cover with eternal wings of grace 
The rebel sons of sin, nor thereto spare 
Thy bosom in its dearest tenderness. 
Thine everlasting altars shall abound 
With our adoring incense, and thy crown 



248 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Glory receive, strength, riches, wisdom, might, 
And endless service of our grateful love. 

" Thee too, with grateful homage, Son of God ! 
We praise, with loving honor crown thy name ; 
From the abyss of woe and bitter death 
Exalted to thy place of majesty, 
Recrowned with light, in glory more enthroned. 
We praise thee, praise thee, for the willing steps 
Of thy veiled godhead in the paths of men. 
Blessing with affluent hand, and bearing still 
The scorn, the buffet, the envenomed hate, 
The dreadful burden of the guilty world. 
Even to the cross ; so winning by thy loss. 
And in his deadly fortress conquering Death. 
Up from the tomb, triumphant King ! in clouds 
Of glory wafted to thy seat supreme, 
With banners of redemptive blazonry, 
And full devotion of enraptured heaven. 
All power is thine, all grace, all victory. 
To win the souls thy suffering mercy saved. 
Crowd the high mansions, endless empire hold, 
And make eternity one widening stream 
Of love and honor to advance thy name. 
Here at thy feet our willing all we cast. 
And take our method from the morning stars, 



HALLELUJAH. 249 

Who count the ages in their ministry, 

And know thine ancient worth. To thee, not less, 

Though in the mantle of humanity, 

With accents of undimmed and equal praise, 

We turn our blissful worship. All we are, 

Or hope for, or fulfil, is still of thee ; 

And thine the glory. Every holy joy. 

Impulse, desire, promotion, benefit. 

Is fruit of thy fair tree, planted in blood. 

And sweetly bowering with its blessedness 

Our paths of paradise. Oh ! take our heart. 

The tenderest offering of our gratitude, 

And, robed in thy clear whiteness, we will fill 

The amazing ages with our festive songs. 

"Nor less, O Spirit supreme of holiness! 
Thou acting energy of power Divine, 
We praise, we bless thine equal majesty; 
Sweet Comforter in sorrow, patient Guide 
Back from the hapless servitude of wrong, 
On in the ways of duteous righteousness. 
Up in the blissful scaling of the sky ; 
Instructor in the heavenly mysteries ; 
Th.e rich Conveyor of the precious grace,- 
And with thy gentle pinion fanning still 
The feeblest flicker of the holy fire, 



250 THE TEMPLE REBUILT. 

Till it mount upward, like a tongue of flame, 

And wrap the throne. With equal wisdom thou 

Didst, in the conclave of the Deity, 

Devising glory, sit, and the ancient years 

Fill with the shadows of the coming Sun, 

Streaking the darkness with celestial dawn. 

From lips prophetic and the altar gleam. 

Till from the open gates, in bright appeal, . 

Roge the full morning on the lands of night. 

And sooner will the solar shafts return 

To their hot quiver from the infinite deep. 

Than thine illumination gather back 

Its potent splendors to their urn again. 

By thee the truth its willing captives wins. 

By thee the aim its rich accomplishment; 

All forces wielding, and the stoutest heart 

Handling with magic of omnipotence. 

By thee is filled our glorious destiny. 

Our virtue kindled, our desires inflamed. 

Our work complete, our resurrection sure. 

And the wide wing of our immortal flight 

Sinewed with an enrapturing energy. 

Forth from the everlasting bosom fly, 

O Dove divine ! and brood the waiting world, 

Till life, begotten of celestial seed. 

Spring up in every heart, and millions more 



HALLELUJAH. 25 1 

Add their glad voices to our endless song. 

All glory, blessing, majesty be thine, 

All worship, honor, praise, for evermore ! '' 

So may the earth and all the heavens in one. 
With ceaseless hallelujah, still extol 
The worth and wisdom of the grace Divine, 
Which from its dire decay the temple builds, 
Hews its rich stones, its massy columns rears, 
And crowns it in the high eternal realm, 
In the bright City, where no temple is 
But the fair temples of His holiness. 



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